The Philadelphia Phillies signed Don Mattingly to a two-year contract to stay on as manager, CBS Sports reported. The deal keeps him in the dugout through the 2028 season, NBC Sports Philadelphia reported.

Mattingly, 65, began the season as the team's bench coach, CBS Sports reported. The Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson in April after a 9-19 start and named Mattingly interim manager.

The team went 79-55 under Mattingly and finished 88-74, CBS Sports said. It grabbed the last National League playoff spot but lost to the Atlanta Braves in the Wild Card Series.

The Phillies had pursued Alex Cora, the former Boston Red Sox manager, CBS Sports reported. Team president Dave Dombrowski offered Cora the job in April, and Cora said no. Cora passed on the job again after the season and reportedly plans to sit out 2027, NBC Sports Philadelphia reported.

That cleared the way for Mattingly. One reason the team kept him is that the players know and respect him, MLB.com reported, citing a source. Another is that a lockout is expected when the league's labor deal ends on Dec. 1. A new manager would not be able to talk to players during a work stoppage, MLB.com said.

There is a family twist. The Phillies' general manager is Preston Mattingly, Don's son. CBS Sports said it is believed to be the first father-son pairing of a manager and general manager on an MLB team.

This is Mattingly's third job as a big-league manager, CBS Sports said. He led the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2011 to 2015 and the Miami Marlins from 2016 to 2022. He won NL Manager of the Year in 2020.

Dombrowski is expected to speak to reporters on Thursday, MLB.com reported.

What we know: Mattingly will manage the Phillies through 2028.
What we don't: What other changes the Phillies will make this offseason.