Red Sox fans chant for Varitek to be next manager

The Boston Red Sox are without a manager after the dismissal of Alex Cora because of his involvement in the Houston Astros' 2017 illegal sign-stealing.

While the Red Sox front office continues to look for Cora's replacement, fans appear to be making up their minds about who they'd like to see on the team's bench.

Fans chanted former catcher Jason Varitek's name throughout the kickoff event Friday for the Red Sox Winter Weekend, according to MLB.com's Ian Browne.

While no candidates have been identified, Varitek appears to fit the description of what the Red Sox will be looking for in their next manager.

"It's got to be someone who fits the culture of this team with knowledge of what it would take to put a championship team on the field in 2020," said Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy. "There's a lot of good candidates out there. I know it's an awkward time of year to be doing a managerial search. I know it's a tall task for Chaim (Bloom) and (Brian O'Halloran), and they are working hard."

Varitek spent all 15 seasons of his big-league career with the Red Sox, winning two World Series titles (2004 and 2007). The 47-year-old has been an adviser with the Red Sox since 2012.

"It's fair to say you're naturally inclined to look inside your organization," said Kennedy. "That’s been a Red Sox practice with executives and players, homegrown talent; it's just natural to know your people better than external people."

Kennedy added that he'd like a new manager in place before spring training gets underway. Red Sox pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 12.