CHICAGO — The Mets have another managerial candidate with ties to the franchise on their radar.
An industry source confirmed Monday that Manny Acta, who served as third-base coach during Willie Randolph’s managerial tenure with the Mets, will interview with the club this week for the vacant manager’s position. ESPN first reported Acta’s candidacy.
The 48-year-old Acta previously managed the Nationals and Indians, and has spent the last two seasons as the third-base coach with the Mariners.
Alex Cora, who is considered the front-runner for the Red Sox managerial opening, will interview with the Mets on Tuesday, according to a source and — as first reported by The Post — Joe McEwing will be interviewed Wednesday.
Mets hitting coach Kevin Long interviewed for the managerial position last week, and Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway will receive an interview Wednesday, an industry source told The Post.
A FanRag Sports report indicated former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus declined to be interviewed by the Mets. And a source indicated that Dodgers bench coach Bob Geren has not been contacted by the Mets about the position.Cora, the Astros bench coach, is already in New York for the ALCS and will interview before Houston faces the Yankees in Game 4. The former Mets infielder, according to reports, interviewed with the Red Sox on Sunday and is a strong candidate to fill that vacancy.
Cora also has been linked to openings with the Tigers and Phillies.
McEwing, the White Sox bench coach, was a popular player for the Mets in the early 2000s and has interviewed for several managerial openings in recent years. He has already been interviewed by the Tigers and has a strong ally in David Wright, who became tight with McEwing when the Mets captain was breaking into the major leagues in 2004.
Long hasn’t managed above Single-A in the minor leagues, but is well-regarded within the organization for his communication skills and the relationships he’s built in the clubhouse.