Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona hasn't completely ruled out managing again in 2012, but he did pull himself out of the running for the Cubs job. Francona plans to take a step back after not getting the position with the Cardinals. It was reported earlier Wednesday that he planned on taking 2012 off as a manager. "I don't know that I can confirm that (report that he won't manage in 2012)," Francona said Wednesday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "I talked to (CSNNE.com) this morning and what I told him was that I did interview in St. Louis. I really did want to. It was a genuine interest on my part. And then when I didn't get the job I thought it was necessary to step back and (say), 'OK, what do I need to do?' "I think that is, take a step back, take a deep breath, figure out what I do want to do, so when there is a next time -- and I hope there is -- I'll be refreshed and energized so you can do the job that's necessary. It's a tough job. At the end of every year, you're beat up. And at the end of this year, we were all beat up. To do the job right, you have to be all in, and that's how I feel right now."