Reports: Terry Francona is coming out of retirement to lead the Reds

Terry Francona is coming out of retirement to take over as manager of the Cincinnati Reds, MLB Network and ESPN reported Thursday night.

The Reds plan to hire Francona, who resigned from his position with national rivals Cleveland Guardians after the 2023 season.

Francona, who struggled with health issues toward the end of his tenure in Cleveland, said at the time: “I need to go home and get healthy and see what I miss about the game. I don’t think I’ll be able to do it again.”

He struggled with stomach, hip and shoulder problems, as well as blood clots and a staph infection. Heart surgery prevented him from playing in the 2017 All-Star Game, and health issues subsequently sidelined him for portions of the 2020, 2021 and 2023 seasons.

Nevertheless, the 65-year-old will take up his fourth managerial position in the major leagues. He will try to rebuild a Reds club that missed the playoffs this year at 77-85 but has promising young talent in Elly De La Cruz and Hunter Greene.

The Reds fired coach David Bell in the final week of the regular season.

Francona is best known for leading the Boston Red Sox to two World Series titles (2004, 2007), the first of which ended the club’s 86-year championship drought.

As manager of the Philadelphia Phillies (1997-2000), Boston (2004-11) and Cleveland (2013-23), Francona is 1,950-1,672 all-time with three pennants. His Cleveland team lost to the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 World Series.

Francona played outfield and first base in the majors for the Montreal Expos (1981-85), Chicago Cubs (1986), Cincinnati (1987), Cleveland (1988) and Milwaukee Brewers (1989-90). He batted .274 with a .300 on-base percentage, .351 slugging percentage, 16 home runs and 143 RBIs in 707 games.

–Field level media