The Philadelphia Phillies may already have their sights set on their next full-time manager, and it could create a difficult situation for the organization if the team continues to thrive under interim skipper Don Mattingly.
Philadelphia dismissed Rob Thomson in April after a disastrous 9-19 start. The move came as a surprise for a club built to contend for a World Series, particularly with a payroll of roughly $300 million and expectations of competing deep into October.
Mattingly was brought in to stabilize the team on an interim basis, and the results have been far better than many expected. What began as a season-threatening collapse has turned into a legitimate playoff push.
However, according to a report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Phillies appear to have already identified Alex Cora as their preferred choice for the 2027 season. The expectation is reportedly that Cora will become Philadelphia’s next manager unless Mattingly guides the club all the way to a World Series appearance and potentially wins the National League pennant.
That possibility creates an awkward dynamic for a team that has dramatically improved under Mattingly.
Mattingly has transformed the Phillies
When Mattingly took over, Philadelphia was sitting at 10 games below .500 and had the worst record in the National League. The team also carried a troubling minus-47 run differential, raising serious questions about whether the season could be salvaged.
The answer has been emphatically positive.
As of August 18, the Phillies have climbed to second place in the NL East and 10 games over .500. Under Mattingly, Philadelphia has gone 59-39, while producing a plus-57 run differential.
That is an enormous turnaround from the team he inherited.
Mattingly has helped restore confidence and stability inside the clubhouse, while the Phillies have once again positioned themselves as a serious postseason contender. With the roster loaded with veteran talent and championship expectations, the turnaround has made the possibility of replacing him even more controversial.
Why Cora remains the concern
Cora is a highly accomplished manager, having led the Boston Red Sox to a World Series championship, but his potential hiring would still raise questions among Phillies supporters.
The biggest issue is whether Philadelphia is conducting a genuine managerial evaluation or simply following a plan that was established months ago.
Reports indicate that the Phillies were interested in Cora when the position first became available and may have even offered him the job before he turned them down. If that is accurate, it suggests the organization had already identified Cora as its preferred candidate before Mattingly had an opportunity to prove himself.
That would make Mattingly’s impressive turnaround less influential in the club’s long-term decision-making.
Cora’s Boston history adds another layer
There is also an interesting comparison involving Cora’s recent history with the Boston Red Sox.
Cora was dismissed by Boston after the club opened the season 10-17, with reports also raising questions about the team’s clubhouse culture. Since his departure, however, interim manager Chad Tracy has helped Boston produce a dramatic turnaround, reportedly posting a 57-41 record and earning strong buy-in from the players.
That development could make Phillies fans wonder whether Philadelphia is overlooking what a manager can accomplish once he has the trust of a clubhouse.
Cora’s previous managerial résumé remains impressive. He had a .551 winning percentage during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and later guided Boston to a championship. However, his Dodgers teams went just 8-11 in the postseason, while his most recent Boston tenure ended before the club could reach its expected level.
Mattingly faces a difficult standard
The biggest obstacle standing between Mattingly and a permanent job may simply be the expectations surrounding the Phillies.
A strong regular season might not be enough if the front office has already decided that Cora is the preferred replacement. According to the current reporting, Mattingly may need to accomplish something extraordinary — potentially leading Philadelphia to a National League pennant or World Series — to change the organization’s thinking.
That puts enormous pressure on the Phillies’ postseason run.
Mattingly has already accomplished the most difficult part: taking a team that appeared headed toward disaster and turning it into a contender. But unless Philadelphia makes a deep October run, the organization could still move forward with Cora this winter.
Phillies could face a major offseason decision
If the report proves accurate, Philadelphia’s managerial situation could become one of the biggest storylines of the offseason.
Mattingly’s supporters can point directly to his 59-39 record, the team’s dramatic rise in the standings and the improved run differential since he took over. The front office, meanwhile, can point to Cora’s championship pedigree and extensive experience managing high-pressure teams.
The question is whether Philadelphia values the manager who successfully rescued its 2026 season or the established name it reportedly wanted from the beginning.
For now, Mattingly’s best argument is happening on the field. If the Phillies reach the World Series, the organization’s apparent plans for 2027 could be forced into a dramatic rethink.
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