Terry Francona Expected to Depart the Red Sox: Report

Terry Francona is expected to depart from his role as team manager following a meeting with Red Sox management on Friday, major league sources have told Fox Sports.

Those sources said the Francona's leaving is uncertain but he is being pressed for a resolution. Fox Sports reported that Francona won't be fired, but the Red Sox would decline its club options on having Francona for 2012 and 2013.

Francona, 52, led the Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007. Those were the first two championships since 1918, and he has taken the team to the playoffs five times.

If he ends up leaving the Red Sox, it will come at a time when the team is blowing a nine-game game lead in the American League wild-card race, the biggest ever held by a team in September that failed to make the playoffs, according to Fox Sports.

Francona managed the Phillies from 1997 to 2000 and worked with the Indians in 2001. He took over the Red Sox in 2004.