MILWAUKEE -- Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona does not expect to be filling out lineup cards in 2012.
In an interview with CSNNE.com, Francona said it was best to take a step back for a season.
That would eliminate him from the Chicago Cubs' managerial vacancy, for which he had been mentioned loosely as a candidate by Theo Epstein.
"I'm not going to try to manage next year," Francona told CSNNE.com's Sean McAdam, "for my benefit."
Last week, Francona interviewed with the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, but they went with Mike Matheny instead.
"When I interviewed in St. Louis, I was genuinely excited about it," said Francona. "St. Louis was such an exciting opportunity. But we were all beaten up at the end of the year, and after [interviewing], I took a step back and began to look at things realistically."
And what about the Cubs, who have yet to select a manager?
"I've talked to Theo numerous times," Francona said. "We both know each other well enough where we can be honest with each other. I don't think it's the right opportunity."
Francona, who endured the toughest month of his Boston tenure in September, thinks this is a good time for him to take a break.
"I need to take a step back and re-energize," Francona said. "That's probably in my best interest right now. In fairness to myself, it's the best thing to do."
However, don't expect Francona to fall off the radar in 2012. He got a taste of broadcasting as a pinch-hitter for FOX's Tim McCarver during the first two games of this past October's American League Championship Series and got strong reviews for his work.
"That surprised me, because I was terrified," Francona said. "I'm not deluding myself, thinking I'm the next coming of John Madden. But I did enjoy it. We'll see. Baseball's what I know. Maybe there's a place out there that makes sense for me. I'd at least like to look."
According to CSNNE.com, Francona has already been contacted by FOX, ESPN and MLB Network.
"I'm going to explore some things in broadcasting and see where it leads," Francona said. "It may be a way to stay in the game, enjoy it and also be able to step back and look at things."
