Former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora opened up publicly Monday about his April firing, explaining how the decision affected people beyond himself.

His comments came six months after chief baseball officer Craig Breslow dismissed him during a disappointing start to the season. Boston also removed several coaches, making the change broader than a managerial replacement.

Baseball Is Dead’s Tyler Milliken shared a clip Monday on X, formerly Twitter, from Cora’s extended interview on the popular Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast with its co-founder, Rob Bradford. The former Red Sox manager explained what upset him most about his firing.

“The thing that really upset me that Saturday was that other guys paid the price. Not only the coaches, but I felt like you know the players paid the price because you gotta you take away a whole group from from an equation, and it's gonna take time.”

Alex Cora opened up about his firing and explained that what really upset him was other people paid the price. Both coaches and players. For a small sample size.

Cora tipped his cap to Breslow for having conviction. Noted Breslow’s “doubts” about the program.

🎥: @BBisntBoring pic.twitter.com/iLkXBkadf9

— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) October 26, 2026

The Red Sox dismissed Cora on April 25 with a 10-17 record that left the team last in the American League East.

Breslow, owner John Henry and president Sam Kennedy traveled to Baltimore to deliver the decision. Cora said a text from Breslow at the team hotel alerted him to the meeting.

The Red Sox also fired hitting coach Peter Fatse, third base coach Kyle Hudson, bench coach Ramon Vazquez, assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson and hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin.

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Boston also reassigned Jason Varitek, who has not been with the organization since.

Milliken’s post also noted that Cora credited Breslow’s conviction while acknowledging the executive’s doubts about the program. Their tension dated back at least to the 2025 season.

The Red Sox subsequently clinched their second consecutive playoff berth under Chad Tracy, who became permanent manager on September 22.

Cora remains under contract through 2027 and is unlikely to manage next season, though he has not ruled it out. His comments shed light on the staff shakeup as Boston moves forward under Tracy.