Ozzie Guillen rumors add mystery to Chicago White Sox manager hunt

The Chicago White Sox managerial hunt was reportedly over.

According to reports, the White Sox were set to name Astros’ bench coach Joe Espada as their new manager. There are a couple of roadblocks to that happening – the Astros are still playing in the postseason and Espada cannot accept the offer until that is over.

Ozzie Guillen on Chicago White Sox managerial radar

Now there is a new wrinkle. According to NBC Sports, former White Sox manager and current pre and post-game analyst Ozzie Guillen is set to interview for the vacancy. That interview is set to take place sometime next week.

There is no question that Guillen would fit the White Sox. He is the type of manager that generates loyalty and gets the most out of his players. He may be aggressive and not the most politically correct being, but he also has his players’ backs and is a positive influence in the clubhouse.

At the same time, it is fair to wonder how serious of a candidate Guillen is. He is a well known and respected figure in the clubhouse and organization. His stature, especially as the last person to lead the White Sox to a championship, cannot be questioned. However, this interview could just be a formality and a manner of showing Guillen some respect.

What this interview does is put the managerial position back into question. Espada may well be the favorite and have the inside track at the role. But there could be some hesitation there, either on his side or within the White Sox. Maybe, if Dusty Baker retires in Houston, Espada has been told the job is his. There could be any number of reasons as to why this is not a lock just yet.

The Chicago White Sox had reportedly found their manager. However, an interview scheduled with Ozzie Guillen puts everything into question.