The Philadelphia Phillies have transformed their season since making a managerial change in April, but despite their impressive turnaround under interim manager Don Mattingly, the organization is still not ready to commit to him as the team’s permanent skipper.
That decision may seem surprising given how dramatically the Phillies have improved.
After opening the season with a disappointing 9-19 record, Philadelphia fired longtime manager Rob Thomson in late April and handed the team to Mattingly on an interim basis. Since then, the Phillies have undergone a remarkable turnaround and positioned themselves for another postseason appearance.
At the time of the latest report, Philadelphia had gone 78-51 under Mattingly, giving the veteran manager one of the strongest winning percentages among managers since taking over.
Yet, according to Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, the organization wants to wait before making a decision about the manager’s future.
Phillies Want to Wait Until the Season Ends
Dombrowski made it clear that Philadelphia is not rushing into a decision.
Speaking to The Philadelphia Inquirer on Tuesday, Dombrowski explained that the Phillies believe it is better to evaluate the situation once the season is complete.
That approach comes even as two other interim managers received permanent promotions on the same day.
The New York Mets removed the interim label from Andy Green, while the Boston Red Sox promoted Chad Tracy to the permanent manager position.
The Phillies, however, are taking a different approach with Mattingly.
For now, the veteran remains in charge without a guarantee that he will return for the 2027 season.
Mattingly Has Given Philadelphia a Completely Different Season
The strongest argument in Mattingly’s favor is what has happened on the field since he took over.
The Phillies were struggling badly at the beginning of the season, and the 9-19 start created serious questions about the direction of the club.
Since Mattingly’s arrival, however, Philadelphia has completely changed the trajectory of its season.
The Phillies’ 78-51 record under Mattingly represents a dramatic turnaround and has put the club on track for a fifth consecutive postseason appearance.
Of course, not all of that success can be credited to the manager. Philadelphia’s roster contains several established stars, and players ultimately determine what happens between the lines.
Still, Mattingly deserves credit for helping stabilize the club and guide it through a difficult transition.
The question for Dombrowski and the Phillies is whether that turnaround is enough to make Mattingly the long-term choice.
The Postseason Could Decide Mattingly’s Future
One of the biggest factors could be what happens once the playoffs begin.
Mattingly has already demonstrated that he can help the Phillies recover from a disastrous start. But the organization may want to see how he handles the pressure and strategic demands of October baseball before making a long-term commitment.
If Philadelphia makes an early postseason exit, the front office could decide that more evaluation is necessary.
But if the Phillies make a deep postseason run, Mattingly’s case could become much harder to ignore.
A trip to the NLCS or World Series would give him an even stronger argument to remain in Philadelphia beyond 2026.
In other words, Mattingly still has an opportunity to influence the decision with what his team accomplishes over the final weeks of the season and into October.
Alex Cora Remains an Important Part of the Equation
There is another major factor behind Philadelphia’s hesitation: Alex Cora.
The Phillies reportedly had interest in Cora when they were searching for a replacement for Thomson. Cora had recently parted ways with the Red Sox, and his previous relationship with Dombrowski makes him a logical name to consider.
Dombrowski and Cora previously worked together in Boston, where they were part of a Red Sox organization that ultimately won the 2018 World Series.
Cora is also expected to draw interest from teams looking for managerial leadership after the 2026 season.
That means Philadelphia could have a significant decision to make if Cora becomes available and Mattingly continues to perform well.
The situation could ultimately come down to whether Dombrowski believes Mattingly’s turnaround has established him as the best fit for the organization’s next phase or whether he prefers to reunite with Cora.
Mattingly Has Plenty of Experience
Mattingly is hardly an inexperienced interim manager trying to establish himself.
The 65-year-old is in his 13th season as a major-league manager and previously managed the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins.
His managerial résumé includes four postseason appearances, while he also won the National League Manager of the Year Award in 2020.
Overall, Mattingly entered this season with a managerial record of 967-1,001.
His extensive experience gives the Phillies another reason to seriously consider keeping him.
More importantly, he has already demonstrated an ability to take over a struggling team and help change its direction.
The Phillies Have a Difficult Decision Ahead
Philadelphia’s decision is becoming increasingly complicated.
On one side, Mattingly has overseen a remarkable turnaround and has positioned the Phillies for another postseason appearance. His familiarity with the clubhouse and understanding of the roster could also be valuable moving forward.
On the other side, the Phillies appear determined to evaluate all their options before making a long-term commitment.
The possibility of Cora returning to the managerial ranks adds another layer to the situation, particularly because of his previous working relationship with Dombrowski.
For now, the Phillies are choosing patience.
Mattingly wants the permanent job, but the organization appears determined to let the remainder of the 2026 season — particularly the postseason — help shape its decision.
If the Phillies make a deep October run, the argument for removing the interim tag could become significantly stronger. Until then, Philadelphia appears content to keep the decision open and evaluate everything once the season finally comes to an end.
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