David Cone believes the modern manager should be collaborative on lineups, on ideal preparation for games, on what he calls “soup to nuts.”

Except one item. He thinks that the manager more than ever has to know how to maximize his pitchers, remove them at the right time, set up bullpens for ideal matchups. He called this his “wheelhouse.” He explained that is why more ex-pitchers should be considered to be managers. And yes, he is interested in the Mets position that opened Thursday with the announcement that Mickey Callaway had been fired.

“If someone asks you for an interview with the Yankees or Mets, it is simple, you say, ‘yes,’” Cone said by phone.

Cone, 56, basically made the same statement about the Yankees after they parted with Joe Girardi following the 2017 season. Cone had a phone conversation with Brian Cashman after his sentiments were made public, but no formal interview.

Cone played in parts of seven seasons in two stints with the Mets, finishing his career with the team in 2003. At that time, he said the Wilpons floated the idea of him joining SNY, but Cone indicated it was not the right time in his life to take up TV. He eventually did enter that arena with the Yankees and YES, where he has shown himself to be literate and open-minded to the modern analytics employed in the game. Cone said he had good relationships with the Wilpons, but hadn’t spoken to them since his retirement and would not initiate a conversation now with Mets brass.

“I am easy to find if I am on [a] list, and [if] someone wants to find me I can be found,” Cone said. “I’m not actively campaigning for a job.”

In Mets special advisers John Franco and Al Leiter plus broadcaster Ron Darling, Cone has former teammates and allies. He said his local ties make him more interested in openings with the New York teams, but that he would interview if any of the currently seven teams who need a manager called. He said he also would not decline an interview for a pitching coach position.

“I am at that point in my life that if something like (Mets manager) presents itself I have to seriously consider it — if not now, when?” Cone said. “If I am going to fully immerse myself back into the game, now would be the time.”