By The Associated Press

After spending two seasons as a special assistant and adviser with the Philadelphia Phillies, Charlie Manuel made this recommendation yesterday: Hire me as the team's next manager.

Manuel, 60, was the second candidate in two days to interview with the Phillies, less than two weeks after Larry Bowa was fired. No candidate will know as much about the Phillies as Manuel, who was an instructor and a scout for the team at the major and minor league levels.

"I know the team, and I know a lot about it," Manuel said. "I think we know exactly what kind of ball club we've got and what the talent level is."

The Phillies interviewed the former Cubs manager Don Baylor on Tuesday, and they will interview the former Boston manager Grady Little today. The former Rockies and Tigers manager Buddy Bell will be interviewed on Oct. 25, and the former Phillies manager Jim Fregosi is scheduled to meet with the club on Oct. 26.