Nationals Fire Interim Manager Miguel Cairo, Coaching Staff Depart

BREAKING: The Washington Nationals have officially announced that interim manager Miguel Cairo will not be retained as the permanent manager for the 2026 season. This decision comes as part of a major overhaul of the team’s coaching staff, which includes the dismissal of several key coaches, as reported by The Associated Press just moments ago.

Sources confirm that pitching coach Jim Hickey, hitting coach Darnell Coles, bullpen coach Ricky Bones, first-base coach Gerardo Parra, and third-base coach Ricky Gutierrez will also be leaving their positions. This dramatic shake-up reflects the Nationals’ struggles, culminating in a disappointing 66-96 record in 2025, placing them 14th out of 15 clubs in the National League.

The news arrives less than a month after Paul Toboni was introduced as the Nationals’ new president of baseball operations on October 1, 2025. The team is seeking a fresh direction following the firings of former president and general manager Mike Rizzo and Dave Martinez in July. Following Toboni’s hiring, team owner Mark Lerner expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the franchise, stating, “We’re not happy where we are right now. That’s why we brought in Paul. And we’re going to get back to where we’re supposed to be. … Don’t give up on us; we’re going to be there again. Guaranteed.”

Cairo, who had been serving as the Nationals’ bench coach prior to taking over as interim manager, is a close friend of Martinez and had hoped to secure the managing position. However, Toboni indicated he wanted to meet with Cairo before discussing the future of the team’s management publicly.

The Nationals have now experienced six consecutive losing seasons since their triumphant World Series victory in 2019, leading to increasing pressure on the new leadership to revitalize the struggling franchise. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the Nationals will address these critical changes and rebuild for the upcoming season.

As the search for a new manager begins, the baseball community will be watching closely for updates on potential candidates and further developments in Washington’s front office strategy. Stay tuned for more breaking news as the Nationals aim to turn their fortunes around.