Andrew Friedman: Don Mattingly definitely returning as Dodgers manager

Don Mattingly will manage the Dodgers next season, the new president of baseball operations said Friday.

“Definitely,” Andrew Friedman said at his introductory news conference at Dodger Stadium.

Friedman said he had already spoken to Mattingly twice.

“We’re very aligned on a lot of things philosophically and have thoroughly enjoyed those conversations,” he said. “We’re going to get together next week and I’ll look forward to building that relationship.”

Still, as long Joe Maddon doesn’t have a new contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, there will be speculation that Friedman will hire his longtime manager once Maddon’s current deal expires at the end of next season.

“I have a tremendous personal relationship with Joe. He’s a friend of mine. We have a really good professional relationship as well,” Friedman said.

“That being said, Joe is now working with [Rays President] Matt Silverman and baseball operations people there and I’m excited about working with Donnie. I’m going into it with the mind-set that we’re going to work together for a long time. I had one manager in the 10 years I’ve been doing this and I’m looking forward to working with Donnie for a long time.”