Alex Cora wants a longer break.
The just-fired Red Sox manager turned down an offer to manager the Phillies just three days after his Boston dismissal, The Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed.
The Phillies had an opening after they dismissed Rob Thomson on Tuesday with the reigning NL East champions tied with the Mets for MLB’s worst record at 9-19.
Don Mattingly will instead lead the team on an interim basis.
Cora had been linked to the Phillies job ever since the Red Sox shockingly fired him Saturday night following a 10-17 start that still has them in last place in the AL East.
The veteran manager and Philadelphia president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski worked together for two seasons from 2018-19, winning a World Series title in Cora’s first season.
The Red Sox fired Dombrowski after the 2019 season, despite posting an 84-78 record and being just one season removed from a championship.
Thomson seemingly entered the season on the proverbial hot seat after losing three straight postseason series, including back-to-back NLDS exits, and some wondered whether Dombrowski could eye a reunion with Cora, who is regarded as one of baseball’s best skippers.
Dombrowski tried to lure Cora, but Donnie Baseball instead gets the first chance to right the ship.
Mattingly, 65, steps into the leadership role with 12 years of experience guiding the Dodgers (2011-15) and the Marlins (2016-22).
He led Los Angeles just before the team took the next step to end its World Series drought in 2020, and made the playoffs just one time in seven years with the Marlins.
Mattingly’s first game leading the Phillies comes Tuesday night at home against the struggling Giants, and he owns a career 446-363 record.
How Mattingly fares with the team could affect whether the Phillies re-pursue Cora this offseason.
Cora tweeted a goodbye message to Boston fans Tuesday morning, noticeably excluding president of baseball operations Craig Breslow and owner John Henry.
“Boston, we will miss you. Gracias for making us part of you. #RedSoxNation, you are the ❤️ of that team, keep believing, you really care and that’s what pushes everyone in the @RedSox to give it all day in and day out,” Cora posted. “With respect and love AC.”
