Dodgers sever ties with Dennis Mannion, formerly the club president

Owner Frank McCourt will resume overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Dodgers, as the club has severed ties with President Dennis Mannion.

The Dodgers issued a written statement Thursday night, saying McCourt would take “a more direct and active role” in managing the club. McCourt, who is in the midst of a costly divorce, had been working out of a Beverly Hills office for more than a year, leaving Mannion to run the team.

McCourt will go back to being the head of baseball operations. General Manger Ned Colletti, who reported to Mannion over the last year, will once again report directly to the owner.

Chief Operating Officer Geoff Wharton, who oversees the Dodgers’ business operations, also will report directly to McCourt.

A Dodgers spokesman declined to discuss the club’s plans to replace Mannion.

A former Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Phillies executive, Mannion joined the Dodgers in November 2007 as their chief operating officer. He was promoted to team president in March 2009, when McCourt promoted his now-estranged wife, Jamie, from president to chief executive.

Under Mannion, the Dodgers launched the Mannywood section, turning the left-field corner of the field box level into another way to take advantage of the presence of popular outfielder Manny Ramirez.

No reasons for Mannion’s departure were provided.

“Dennis stepped into the role of president and provided leadership during a challenging period, and I am grateful to him for the job that he has done and for the many contributions that he has made to the organization,” McCourt said in a written statement.

Mannion was quoted in the same release saying, “I greatly appreciate the opportunity that Frank gave me to serve as president for what is one of the premiere organizations in all of sports. It has been a tremendous experience, and one that I will cherish as I continue my career in professional sports.”

Attempts to reach Mannion by telephone late Thursday night failed.

The Dodgers also cut ties with two administrative assistants, Kathryn Kuykendall and Debbie Levy.

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com

Times columnist T.J. Simers and reporter Bill Shaikin contributed to this report. Shaikin reported from San Francisco.