The Boston Red Sox will interview Los Angeles Dodgers third-base coach Tim Wallach for their vacant managerial position.

"It's a great opportunity with one of the best organizations in baseball," Wallach told ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne.

The interview will take place sometime later this week, a source told Shelburne.

The Red Sox had asked for and were granted permission by the Dodgers to interview Wallach, a team source told ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes.

Wallach, 55, is a former five-time All-Star third baseman who managed the Dodgers' Triple-A team in Albuquerque for two seasons in between stints as Los Angeles' hitting coach and third-base coach.

Wallach guided Albuquerque to a franchise-record 80 wins in 2009, and was named the Pacific Coast League's manager of the year.

The Boston Herald first reported Boston's contact with Wallach.

The Red Sox fired manager Bobby Valentine last Thursday, one day after completing a disappointing 69-93 season. Their managerial search is expected to begin in earnest Friday after team CEO Larry Lucchino returns from a brief vacation in Europe.

There have been no indications the Red Sox have contacted the Toronto Blue Jays for permission to speak with manager John Farrell, who a team source told ESPNBoston.com was "at the top of the list" of candidates.

The Red Sox made overtures to the Blue Jays about Farrell last year after Terry Francona was ousted. But the Blue Jays denied permission and ultimately changed their internal rules for taking a job with another team, saying they would allow movement only in the event of a promotion.