The Phillies’ latest postseason departure has led to some speculation about manager Rob Thomson’s job security Joel Sherman And Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that Thomson is “safe for 2026” and is expected to return to lead the dugout in Philadelphia next year. The team is planning a formal announcement later this week.
As indicated by Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia InquirerThomson is only the fourth manager in Major League history to lead a team to the postseason in each of his four years on the job. He is also only the third Phillies manager to guide the club to consecutive NL East championships.
Thomson, 62, was elevated to the manager’s position midway through the 2022 season when Joe Girardi was sacked. Thomson, then the team’s bench coach, has now famously indicated that he actually intended to retire at the end of that 2022 season before being revived by promotion to manager.
In more than three seasons at the helm, Thomson led the Phillies to a 346-251 regular season record and steered the ’22 Phillies all the way to an NL Pennant and to Game 6 of the World Series before falling to the ’22 World Champion Astros. Thomson’s Phillies reached Game 7 of the NLCS against the Diamondbacks in 2023, but have now lost in the Division Series in consecutive seasons, falling to the ’24 Mets and the ’25 Dodgers.
Prior to his time managing the Phillies, Thomson spent five years as a bench coach under Girardi. He was also the Yankees’ bench coach under Girardi, holding that position from 2008 to 2017. He had previously served as a major league coach with the Yankees, dating back to 2003, and has also held roles in their front office (particularly in player development) in addition to various coaching positions in the Yankees’ minor league ranks.
While some fans may have hoped for a change in vote after four straight earlier-than-expected playoffs, it doesn’t appear such sentiment exists within the clubhouse. Phillies players strongly spoke out last week – through both Lauber and Matt Gelb of Athletics – that Thomson has their support.
“I love Topper, man,” Harper said after the team’s heartbreaking end to the season. “He’s done a great job for us. I don’t know what the future holds. I have no idea. I think that’s one . But it’s clear we love Topper here.” Teammate Trea Turner wholeheartedly agreed.
“I’ve been blessed with a lot of good managers in my career. I’ve probably played four or five times now and they’ve all been very good. He’s up there with them,” Turner said. “He’s got all the qualities. He keeps it level all year round. He’s great, man. I don’t think you can ask more from a manager.”
Thomson is currently signed through the 2026 season. The Phillies signed him to a one-year extension last offseason, a move that kept him from playing out the current season as a lame-duck manager. Perhaps they will follow a similar route this time around, but at the moment Thomson’s contract expires at the end of the ’26 season and is not believed to include any options for the 2027 season.
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