The Reds gave Francona a 3-year deal to become the new manager

The Reds have appointed Terry Francona as their new manager, announcing on Friday morning that they have agreed a three-year contract with a club option for 2028.

Francona, 65, who stepped down as Guardians manager after the 2023 season, returns to the dugout after managing three teams in a 23-year career. He has a 1,950-1,672 record with the Phillies (1997-2000), Red Sox (2004-2011) and Guardians (2013-2023). He led the Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007.

In six seasons under Bell, Cincinnati went 409–456 (.473), never finishing higher than third in the National League Central outside of the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign (31–29 record, second-place finish).

With young and emerging stars like Elly De La Cruz, Hunter Greene, Spencer Steer and Matt McLain, as well as promising prospects like Rhett Lowder, the Reds are looking to take the next step and reach the playoffs for the first time after a full season. Since 2013.

Francona's reputation precedes him. After taking over in Boston in 2004, he led a Red Sox team that went undefeated in the ALCS before winning its first World Series title in 86 years. Boston won another title under Francona three years later, and overall, he guided the Red Sox to the postseason five times in his eight seasons as manager.

In 2013, Francona became the manager in Cleveland, leading that club to the postseason for the first time in six years. In '16, Cleveland reached the World Series, but lost in seven games to the Cubs. Overall, Francona became the winningest manager in Cleveland history, going 921-757 with six postseason appearances in 11 years. He won three American League Manager of the Year awards during that span (2013, '16 and '22).

After the 2023 season, Francona resigned as manager of the Guardians for health reasons, but said he hoped to return to baseball in some capacity when he was healthy again.

Francona played for the Reds in 1987 as part of his 10-year playing career.