In his first news conference since electing to make a change at manager, Brian Cashman called moving on from Joe Girardi a "very difficult and challenging decision."
It was time for a "new and fresh voice," Cashman said Monday afternoon. The Yankees GM also cited "connectivity and communication level in the clubhouse" as a reason for making the change.
Girardi denied having any issues with players while speaking on air Monday.
"There were none," Girardi told Mike Francesa on WFAN. "And if there were, I didn't know about it."
Girardi's contract was not renewed at the end of the season despite the fact the Yankees advanced within a win of reaching the World Series (Cashman said he has nothing to announce regarding his own contract status yet). The former skipper added there was never a negotiation involving a new one.
"I thought I would be back," Girardi said on air, echoing statements he'd previously told The Athletic. "Obviously there's no guarantees in life, but I thought I'd be back."
Girardi, who said Cashman told him they "were going to go in a different direction," averaged 91 wins per season during his decade at the helm, reaching the playoffs six times while capturing the 2009 Fall Classic. He wants to manage again.
For now Girardi is "moving on" and will "probably do some broadcasting." But the next time he visits Yankee Stadium, whenever it may be, he says it will feel like he's coming home.
"The longer you stay somewhere, the harder it is to leave," he said.
