Though he enjoyed most of his best moments in the big leagues wearing a St. Louis Cardinals uniform, legendary hitter Albert Pujols also spent a significant amount of time in Anaheim. After entering free agency following the 2011 season, Pujols signed a 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels worth around $254 million.

It now appears that Pujols might be set to enjoy another stint at Angel Stadium in the near future, this time as the team’s manager. After the Angels relieved former skipper Ron Washington of his duties on Tuesday, insider Ken Rosenthal reported that Pujols is “the lead candidate” to take over the managerial role.

“Albert Pujols could be returning to the Angels dugout, but as their manager, per @Ken_Rosenthal,” read a recent social media post, capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike.

### Fan Reactions: Mixed Feelings on Pujols as Manager

The news triggered a wave of reactions from fans, many expressing concerns over Pujols’ lack of major league managerial experience. Some argued that the Angels needed a seasoned manager to lead the struggling team.

– “God, I’d hate this,” wrote one fan, John Mozeliak (@Moburner314).
– Another commented, “Zero managerial experience, already on the books (read: economical/cheap), and no serious plan for fixing the team. This tracks.” (Angels Addict @AddictAngels)
– Others noted that past players who transition into managing aren’t always successful without proper experience.
– Some pessimistic fans predicted, “Can already see Albert Pujols relieved of his duties after a 10-30 record start.”
– Despite the backlash, fans remain hopeful that Pujols’ leadership could bring positive change.

### Albert Pujols’ Managerial Aspirations and Experience

Albert Pujols has already made his aspirations of managing in the big leagues clear. After an extraordinarily successful playing career, he is determined to translate that success into a managerial role.

At 45 years old, Pujols has been gaining valuable experience managing the Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League. Under his leadership, the team claimed the 2024-25 league title and went on to win the Caribbean Series in 2025.

Additionally, Pujols has been named manager of the Dominican Republic National Baseball Team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. In an exclusive interview uploaded to the “New York Post Sports” YouTube channel on September 26, he discussed his preparation for the tournament and his larger managerial goals.

> “I’m a player’s manager. I have the opportunity to go back this year to the Dominican Republic, and to be able to lead them to a championship. So, I’m doing a lot of hard work with that. Now I’m really focused on that,” Pujols said.

He added,
> “Hopefully [after this] I get an opportunity to be a manager in the big leagues. I’m staying busy in the things that I know and that I’m good at, just trying to continue to set an example for others.”

### The Angels’ Current Status and Hope for the Future

After enduring another disappointing season in 2025, the Angels finished at the bottom of the AL West with a 72-90 record. Should Albert Pujols be officially named manager, fans will be hoping he can lead the team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

With his deep ties to the franchise, competitive spirit, and growing managerial experience, Pujols could inject new energy and direction into the team. Only time will tell if he is the right person to guide the Angels back to contention.

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**About the Author**
Raghav Mehta is a baseball journalist at Sportskeeda, awaiting results for a Bachelor’s in Journalism from Delhi University. He enjoys highlighting key battles between players at various stages of the game and analyzing decisive moments upon which outcomes hinge. One of Raghav’s favorite moments was the Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout clash in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where two of baseball’s best faced off in the 9th inning—an absolute display of baseball cinema.

A Baltimore Orioles fan, Raghav appreciates watching an exciting young team compete at the top of a very competitive division. He has loved sports for as long as he can remember and discovered his talent for writing about them around age 14. Combining his passion for sports and writing has given him a career he enjoys every day.

Outside of work, Raghav enjoys playing sports, working out, and watching movies.
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