Farrell says he wanted BoSox job last year

John Farrell finally has his dream job, even though the Toronto Blue Jays made him wait an extra year to get it.

During a press conference Tuesday in Boston where he was introduced as the 46th manager of the Red Sox, the 50-year-old Farrell says he first informed the Blue Jays of his interest in the position at the end of the 2011 season shortly after Terry Francona had been fired.

"This situation, coming to Boston, came about a year ago after spending one year in Toronto," said Farrell, who signed a three-deal with Boston. "The request was denied. In my conversations with Paul (Beeston) and Alex (Anthopoulos), I expressed to them at that time, yes, this is a place I cut my teeth as a major league coach. We experienced a lot of success.

"I was very candid and honest with them and when it came up again this year on the heels of two extensive days of conversations in a year-end reviews, I expressed the same interest again and fortunately all parties were able to work out this trade."

He also offered that Anthopoulos may have been sympathetic to his cause.

“Alex was very candid. His analogy was that he’s a guy from Montreal and if the Montreal Expos were still in play and that (general manager) opportunity opened up, it would be similar to (this) situation,” said Farrell.

Speculation surrounding the Red Sox’s interest in their former pitching coach began a year ago immediately following Francona’s dismissal. The Blue Jays and Red Sox refused to comment publicly on the matter, though it had been reported the Blue Jays had asked Boston for starter Clay Buchholz as compensation for Farrell.

The Red Sox eventually settled on Bobby Valentine as their new manager, but when it became clear during the summer that Valentine would not return in 2013, the Farrell-to-Boston rumours kicked into high gear once again.

In September Farrell said he was "unequivocally committed" to the Blue Jays. On Oct. 4 Anthopoulos said he was "100 per cent" confident John Farrell would be the manager of the Blue Jays in 2013.

But earlier this month Farrell repeated his desire for an opportunity to return to Boston, and the Blue Jays were willing to accommodate his wishes, eventually settling on infielder Mike Aviles as compensation.

During his Sunday afternoon conference call to announce the deal, Anthopoulos made no mention of Farrell’s prior interest in the Red Sox job, nor would he confirm whether Boston had approached him about Farrell’s availability a year ago.

Anthopoulos did express his disappointment at what he perceived to be "gamesmanship" during the negotiations including a Saturday night leak to the media announcing the deal was done before it had been approved by the commissioner’s office.

In recent weeks, there have also been rumours of a growing rift between Farrell and Anthopoulos. On Tuesday, Farrell acknowledged he wishes he had been granted a greater voice in personnel decisions by his now former GM.

"In my relationship with Alex and the conversations we would have regarding the roster, I think there might have been opportunities for me to speak a little bit more passionately towards some suggestions or recommendations to the roster," he said.

Later referring to Boston to as the “epicenter of the game,” Farrell said he is “forever indebted” to the Blue Jays for giving him his first managerial job in the Big Leagues.

"It’s also with a lot of thanks and great gratitude to the Toronto Blue Jays, to Paul (Beeston), to Alex," said Farrell. "They opportunity that they provided and the two years that were spent there… it was invaluable experience.

As for accusations that he broke a commitment with Toronto and what he thinks of the outrage on the part of some Blue Jays fans, Farrell said he understands the reaction, but insists he always gave the Blue Jays his best effort.

"The reaction to the anger or the feelings that might emanate from this happening, I appreciate that," said Farrell. "That means there’s passion, there’s caring from the fanbase, but I would take exception with the thought that there was no intent to fulfill a contract."

Farrell was Boston’s pitching coach for four seasons beginning in 2007 under Terry Francona.

In two seasons with Toronto, Farrell posted a 154-170 record with two fourth-place finishes.

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