Werth: "I love playing" for Manuel

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ATLANTA — Jayson Werth openly admits he is the player he is today in large because of Charlie Manuel. So when asked today whether he'd like for the suddenly available Manuel to manage the Nationals next season, the veteran right fielder didn't hide his feelings.

"Oh, of course," Werth said this afternoon. "I don't know if he fits into the organization's plan or whatever. But I mean, I love playing for the guy."

Fired by the Phillies today after a 4-19 stretch since the All-Star break, Manuel now finds himself out of work after 12 years managing in Cleveland and Philadelphia, posting a 1,000-826 record, winning six division titles and a World Series. The 69-year-old said he would need some time to contemplate his future, but his name could surface as a candidate to replace Davey Johnson in 2014.

Werth said he spoke to Manuel earlier this season and asked his former skipper about his future plans.

"He guaranteed me he would be managing somewhere next year," Werth said. "This was probably ... I think I was on the DL in May when I talked to him. We'll see. Time changes things. But at the time when I talked to him then, he was adamant he wanted to manage."
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Charlie Manuel out as Phillies manager

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Falling short of expectations for a second consecutive season, the Philadelphia Phillies are letting go of longtime manager Charlie Manuel. 

The firing was first reported by CSN Philly’s Jim Salisbury after the Phillies announced an impromptu news conference on Friday afternoon.

Manuel leaves the Phillies after taking them to a World Series title in 2008 and a National League pennant the following season. In nine years with the Phillies he never had a losing season and won at least 90 games four times. This year, however, Philly was sitting in fourth place in the NL East with a 53-67 record.

The Phillies hired Manuel in 2005 after he spent three seasons as manager of the Cleveland Indians. He leaves Philadelphia with a 780-636 (.551) record with the franchise and an even 1000 wins during his career overall.