Joe Girardi wouldn’t have cleared his schedule if he wasn’t confident he’d make a return to managing.

After stepping down as manager from USA Baseball on Wednesday, the former Yankees manager explained his reasoning to WFAN’s Mike Francesa a few hours after the move was made official. Girardi, who is also currently an analyst for MLB Network, explained his decision and expressed his confidence in how he thinks things will pan out.

“I really believe that I’m going to get an opportunity,” Girardi said.

Girardi was chosen to lead the United States in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. He was set to manage Team USA for the upcoming World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier12 tournament before he decided to fully pursue his managerial search.

“I was committed to the Olympic team,” Girardi said. “About a week ago — maybe a little more — I started discussing there was a possibility that I wouldn’t be able to do it because of some of the things I was going through interviewing and I couldn’t commit because you have to report on Sunday.”

Girardi is one of the six known candidates for the Mets job, and has interviewed with the Cubs and Phillies. He appears to be a legitimate candidate for all three positions.

Girardi, who won NL Manager of the Year with the Marlins in 2006 and led the Yankees to the 2009 World Series, has been working for MLB Network since being let go by the Yankees following the 2017 season.

“I have interviewed with some clubs,” Girardi said. “Interviews are still going on, so I’m finished and I will continue to go through the process and wait to see what happens.”

According to Girardi, his discussions with all three teams have “went well,” but no salary talks have occurred so far.