After five seasons in Boston, John Farrell will not return as manager of the Red Sox for the upcoming 2018 season. On Wednesday — less than 48 hours after the team suffered its season-ending loss to the Astros in the ALDS — the club announced that Farrell has been released and that the search for a new manager will begin immediately. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is expected to speak at Fenway Park later during the day.

The #RedSox announced today that John Farrell will not return as manager in 2018. A search for a new manager will begin immediately. — Red Sox (@RedSox) October 11, 2017

During his tenure with the Sox, Farrell’s record was 432-378 (.533) and ranks sixth all-time for most managerial wins in franchise history. He earned three AL East championships, including the club’s first-ever set of back-to-back division titles, and a World Series ring in 2013.


Among the highlights, however, were certainly a fair share of low lights. The Red Sox finished last in their division for two consecutive years, with an abysmal 71-91 record in 2014. Farrell was also never able to advance past the divisional round of the playoffs following his first season.

The team’s next manager will be its fourth in eighth years. The two managers to precede Farrell were Terry Francona (2004-2011) and Bobby Valentine (2012). According to The Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham rumored replacements include two former Red Sox players: Jason Varitek and Alex Cora. Cora is currently Houston’s bench coach.