Phillies expected to part ways with Don Mattingly at season's end

Philadelphia Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Phillies expected to part ways with Don Mattingly at season's end

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Aug 17, 2026 8:10 AM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies were among the worst teams in MLB through the first month of games. A 9-19 start led general manager Dave Dombrowski to fire manager Rob Thomson and name bench coach Don Mattingly the interim manager.

Since Mattingly took over, the Phillies are 57-39 and entered Sunday in a three-way tie for the second NL wild-card spot. All of the recent success, though, may not be enough for Mattingly to have his interim tag removed headed into the 2027 season.

Alex Cora is likely to be Phillies manager in 2027

According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Philadelphia is expected to part ways with Mattingly and hire former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora ahead of the 2027 season.

Cora's Red Sox got off to a 10-17 start, and he was fired three days before the Phillies fired Thomson. Cora was actually offered the Philadelphia job for the remainder of the season, but he turned it down. Now, he has reemerged as the clear favorite to be the head man for the Phillies in 2027.

Alex Cora was offered the Philadelphia Phillies' managerial job before Don Mattingly, but declined.
He has decided to spend time with his family.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 28, 2026

There is one way for Don Mattingly to remain manager

Nightengale did lay out one path that would lead to Mattingly likely being brought back as the manager, and that path was for the Phillies to make it to the World Series.

"Philadelphia Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly, who took over for Rob Thomson on April 28, not only must lead the Phillies to the postseason, but likely to the World Series or even win it to be asked back," Nightengale wrote.

So, it seems very simple for Mattingly and what he needs to do to end the season. Win the World Series, or he'll likely be looking for another job next season.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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