Phillies rumors: All signs point to Don Mattingly sticking around after Alex Cora rejection appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Philadelphia Phillies moved on from manager Rob Thomson early in the 2026 MLB season. Don Mattingly was named the interim manager, but it still seemed as if Philadelphia could pivot to someone else from a long-term standpoint. Alex Cora reportedly turned down the Phillies, and now it seems as if Mattingly could stick around in Philadelphia.
“Don Mattingly appears to have a decent or better chance to be retained as Phillies manager,” MLB insider Jon Heyman reported Tuesday. “Went 79-55 to get into playoffs after taking over 9-19 team and has the respect of players and front office, as I said on @MLBNetwork.”
The Phillies bounced back following a challenging start to the 2026 regular season. They ended up reaching the postseason as a Wild Card team in the National League. However, Philadelphia was ultimately defeated by the Atlanta Braves in the NL Wild Card Series, leading to an early postseason exit.
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Nevertheless, Mattingly taking over clearly made a difference. He’s a guy who has managed before as well.
Nothing is official as of this story’s writing. There still is a chance that Philadelphia will monitor other potential managerial candidates. With that being said, Mattingly reportedly has a “decent or better chance” to become the Phillies’ manager of the future.
Philadelphia has other questions to answer this offseason as well. Many of the ball club’s best players are getting older, and one has to wonder how much longer their window for competing will be with this group of stars. Whoever the next manager is — whether it’s Mattingly or someone else — will try to guide the Phillies to the World Series sooner rather than later as the championship window starts to close.