Former Yankees manager Joe Girardi is reportedly a favorite to be the next Cardinals manager after St. Louis fired Mike Matheny on Saturday, according to USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale.
Girardi, who managed the Yankees from 2008 to 2017, has been an analyst for MLB Network ever since New York announced it would not extend his contract following last year's ALCS.
After he left the Yankees, Girardi said he would like to manage again, although he reportedly did not have a comment when approached about the situation.
Girardi, 53, ended his 15-year playing career as a member of the Cardinals in 2003.
St. Louis fired Matheny after it missed the playoffs the past two seasons and started 47-46, a few games back of the second wild-card spot in the National League. Mike Shildt is the Cardinals' interim manager.
"These decisions are never easy, but we felt that a change in leadership was necessary as the team prepares to enter into the second half of the season," Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak said in a statement, according to ESPN. "I would like to thank Mike for his exceptional commitment and devotion to the Cardinals organization, including many fond memories of our years working together."
Matheny led the Cardinals to the National League pennant in 2013 and playoff berths in each of his first four seasons. In six and a half total seasons, Matheny led the Cardinals to a 591-474 record. However, while the Cardinals had a .579 winning percentage in Matheny's first four seasons, it dropped to .518 since 2016.
Girardi led the Yankees within a victory of the 2017 World Series in what was the first full year of their rebuild. In 10 seasons since replacing Joe Torre, Girardi went 910-710 and led the Yankees to the 2009 World Series title and six playoff appearances.
New York never finished with fewer than 84 wins in any of Girardi's seasons, although it had missed the playoffs in three of Girardi's last five seasons.