Francona had led the Red Sox to the World Series title in 2004 — ending a championship drought dating back to 1918 - and again in 2007, but speculation about his future intensified after they missed this season’s playoffs following a dramatic late season collapse.
The 52-year-old met with leading club officials in Boston on Friday and told them he thought it was time he left the club.
“It was time for me to move on,” Francona said in a statement.
“I’ve always maintained that it is not only the right, but the obligation, of ownership to have the right person doing this job.
“I told them that out of my enormous respect for this organization and the people in it, they may need to find a different voice to lead the team.”
The Red Sox released a statement paying tribute to Francono, who was known affectionately in the clubhouse as “Tito.”
“We have enormous respect, admiration and appreciation for Tito and the job that he did for eight years, including two World Series Championship seasons and five playoff appearances,” the Red Sox said.
“His poise during the 2004 post-season was a key factor in the greatest comeback in baseball history, and his place in Red Sox history will never be forgotten. We wish him only the best going forward.”
The end for Francona came swiftly and unexpectedly. At the start of September, the Red Sox held a nine game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays for the American League wild card spot and were cruising along only to lose 20 of their last 27 games to miss out by a single game through a combination of injuries, a depleted starting rotation and shoddy execution.
The crash was compounded by their status as preseason favorites after an off-season spending spree gave them a $161 million payroll, the third highest in the MLB.
Francona had reportedly told staff on Thursday that he would not be in charge next season but Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein released a statement on Friday saying that no decision had been made.
Three hours later the club confirmed they had agreed not to exercise their option to re-sign Francona.
“Tito said that after eight years here he was frustrated by his difficulty making an impact with the players, that a different voice was needed, and that it was time for him to move on,” the Red Sox said.
“After taking time to reflect on Tito’s sentiments, we agreed that it was best for the Red Sox not to exercise the option years on his contract.”
Francona posted a 744-552 record with the Red Sox and leaves the club with his place in Boston sporting folklore already secure.
He joined the Red Sox as manager in 2004 and enjoyed instant success, leading the club to their first World Series title in 86 years, coming from 3-0 behind to beat the New York Yankees for the American League Championship then sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals to end the so-called ‘Curse of the Bambino.”
In 2007, he led the Red Sox to another World Series championship, but they have not made the World Series since and missed the playoffs each of the past two years.
“In my eight seasons as manager of the Boston Red Sox, I have developed a tremendous appreciation for Red Sox Nation,” he said.
“This is a special place with some of the most knowledgeable and passionate fans in all of baseball. They packed Fenway Park for every game and because of them, I had a special sense of pride coming to work every day.”
Francona is unlikely to be without a job long and has already been tipped as a possible replacement for Ozzie Guillen who quit the Chicago White Sox this week before being hired by the Florida Marlins.
