After six seasons away from the Bay, former Giants manager Bruce Bochy is headed back to San Francisco — but this time, he won’t be wearing a uniform.

Bochy is finalizing an agreement to serve as a special assistant with the Giants, team chairman Greg Johnson told the San Francisco Chronicle in an interview published Tuesday. As the organization heads into uncharted waters with recently hired manager Tony Vitello, Bochy shared with The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly his outlook on his new position.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to the Bay,” Bochy told Baggarly in a phone interview. “And of course, I’m looking forward to getting back with the San Francisco Giants, seeing familiar faces and hopefully bring value any way I can.”

Before president of baseball operations Buster Posey really dug into his search for a new manager, and weeks before Vitello was hired, many fans and pundits alike wondered if Bochy could retake his former position on the top step of the home dugout at Oracle Park.

Bochy himself said he’d never rule out a conversation with Posey about a managerial return, but after Posey shot down that option in his end-of-season press conference, it appears they decided the best path forward was in a special advisory role.

Now, Bochy doesn’t envision another stint as manager in his future after spending the last three seasons leading the Texas Rangers. Instead, the four-time World Series champion will serve as a guiding voice for Vitello, who is the first MLB manager to be hired straight out of college ball without any professional experience.

“I would say that’s where I’m at right now,” Bochy told Baggarly of likely never managing again. “I’ll add you don’t ever rule anything out. You don’t, you know? But I’m content with what I’m doing now. I certainly appreciate getting another opportunity to win a championship and I’m forever grateful for that. But I’m in a good place now. This is what I want to do. I want more time for myself and family but also to contribute to a game that I love.”

Bochy made plenty of memories at Third and King with the Giants from 2007 to 2019 and has three rings to show for it. Now, he’ll look to help San Francisco earn another from outside of the dugout.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast