If the Mets don’t hire Joe Girardi, it would be against Mike Francesa’s advice.
The WFAN host said on his show he endorsed the former Yankees manager when he talked with the Mets regarding their managerial opening.
“I made it clear that I thought Girardi was their guy,” Francesa said. “Not that that was worth anything to them. I don’t think it was. Maybe it was. I don’t know. I really can’t tell. They didn’t react to it, and that was it.
“I put in a couple of words for Girardi. I thought he was the guy. I believe that.”
Francesa said he’s not the only one who thinks Girardi would be a good fit at Citi Field.
“A lot of people have recommended Girardi to the Mets,” he added. “A lot of people. A lot of baseball people have recommended Girardi to the Mets. That I know. If it falls on deaf ears, I just don’t know.”
As the Mets continue their managerial search, Girardi remains on the board — at least for the moment, according to The Post’s Mike Puma — but at least five other candidates, none of whom have managed in the major leagues beyond the interim level, have chances.
Tim Bogar, the Nationals’ first base coach, is expected to receive a second interview from general manager Brodie Van Wagenen and his staff on Thursday. On Wednesday, ESPN analyst Eduardo Perez received his callback interview. Carlos Beltran, an adviser with the Yankees, awaits a second meeting with team officials, likely on Friday.
Luis Rojas and Derek Shelton are the other known candidates.
Girardi, who also is in contention for the Phillies managerial job, lost a potential suitor in the Cubs, who are planning on hiring David Ross to take over for Joe Maddon, The Post’s Joel Sherman confirmed.
Before extolling Girardi, Francesa broke down the process of how the Mets were going to hire a manager, which has been widely reported.
“They told me it was going to be a very extensive search the first time,” he said. “They would have the serious candidates back the second time. And then they would go from there. That’s what I was told the process was. That was it.”
