Girardi opens up about Yankees dismissal: 'I thought I would be back'

It's been less than a week since the New York Yankees parted ways with Joe Girardi, and on Tuesday he opened up about the decision that left the Bronx Bombers without his managerial services for the first time in a decade.

"I was surprised. With the year that we had and the progress the team had made, I thought I would be back," Girardi told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic during an exclusive question and answer. "Obviously, there is a ton of talent there, a ton of great young talent. I was excited about that. I thought I'd be back."

The 53-year-old was let go by the Yankees after he helped lead them to a 91-win regular season and an appearance in the American League Championship Series.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the team decided to "pursue alternatives for the managerial position" amid reports that there was tension between Girardi and the club's front office, but the former skipper said even he was caught off guard by the move.

"No. I think this organization has always been about winning. They exhaust everything they can to win. I thought it was business as usual," Girardi explained when asked if he thought the Yankees' commitment to him was wavering. "We talked about teams we needed to look at in advance-scouting meetings (for the playoffs), talked about rosters. The communication was great."

His dismissal came as a surprise to some, including former Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. But, according to Mark Teixeira - who played under the now unemployed skipper for eight seasons, Girardi's intensity may have played a part in losing the managerial job.

Girardi left the Yankees having secured 910 career games in pinstripes and winning a World Series in 2009.