BOSTON – Terry Francona didn’t stay retired for long. The former Red Sox captain, who brought two World Series titles to Boston, has reportedly been hired by the Cincinnati Reds to be their next manager.

Francona’s hiring, first reported by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand and ESPN’s Jeff Passan, is expected to be officially announced by the Reds on Friday.

Francona most recently led the Cleveland Guardians from 2013 to 2023 and stepped down after last season for health reasons. The 65-year-old holds a 1,950-1,672 record for his managerial career, which began with the Philadelphia Phillies (1997-2000) and really took off during his eight-year run with the Red Sox.

Twenty years ago, Francona led the Red Sox to the franchise’s first World Series title in 86 years when Boston defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in the Fall Classic. This came after the team’s historic 3-0 comeback against the New York Yankees in the ALCS.

The Red Sox and Francona won another World Series in 2007 when they defeated the Colorado Rockies. Boston made the playoffs in five of Francona’s eight seasons, finishing with a 744-552 record for the Red Sox. Only Hall of Famer Joe Cronin has more wins as a Red Sox manager with 1,071.

Francona is the winningest coach in Cleveland history, going 921-757 in his 11 seasons with the club. Cleveland made the playoffs six times with Francona on the bench, including the 2016 World Series, where the Guardians lost to the Chicago Cubs in seven games. In Cleveland he was named American League Manager of the Year three times.

Francona replaces David Bell in Cincinnati, who was fired after six seasons and a 409-456 record with the Reds.