Chicago Cubs Fire Manager Mike Quade

The shakeup continued on Chicago's north-side as the Cubs' new president of baseball operations, Theo Epstein, said Mike Quade will not return to manage the team next season.

Epstein praised Quade, but said the Cubs will benefit from someone who can come in "with a clean slate and offer new direction."

Quade got the job after a 37-game audition at the end of the 2010 season, replacing Lou Piniella on an interim basis. The Cubs went 24-13 over that stretch and he was chosen for the position over Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg.

The Cubs finished 71-91 and fifth in the NL Central this year in Quade's first full season on the bench.

Epstein said the search for Quade’s replacement would begin right away.

"The managerial search process begins immediately," Epstein said. "We are looking for someone with whom and around whom we can build a foundation for sustained success. The next manager must have leadership and communication skills; he must place an emphasis on preparation and accountability; he must establish high standards and a winning culture; he must have integrity and an open mind; and he must have managerial or coaching experience at the major league level."

Epstein spoke with Sandberg on Wednesday and let him know that he wasn’t in the Cubs’ plans. Sandberg, who managed in Chicago’s minor league system and left the organization after Quade was chosen to replace Piniella, does not have major league managerial or coaching experience. He managed Philadelphia’s Triple-A team last season and could be a candidate in St. Louis to replace the recently retired Tony La Russa.

Another potential candidate in Chicago could be Terry Francona, Epstein’s manager in Boston who did not return to the Red Sox after their epic September collapse. Another name mentioned is Tampa Rays bench coach Dave Martinez, who once played for the Cubs.

As for Quade, he ends a nine-year tenure with the Cubs organization.