Brian Snitker Won't Return As Braves Manager for 2026 MLB Season, Will Be Advisor

On the heels of a disappointing 76-86 record during the 2025 season, Brian Snitker won't return as manager of the Atlanta Braves.

The club announced on Wednesday that Snitker will transition to an advisory role in the front office.

The Braves also said within their statement that Snitker will be inducted into their Hall of Fame prior to a game next season.

Wednesday's announcement wasn't a huge surprise, as there had been speculation that Snitker was likely to step down when this season ended.

ESPN's Buster Olney reported on Sept. 10 that it would be Snitker's call if he were to return in 2026, but the expectation from people close to the veteran manager was that he would leave his role as Braves manager.

One of the primary factors Olney cited as influencing Snitker's decision was a desire to spend more time with his family.

Snitker not returning to the Braves in 2026 means that the three oldest managers in MLB this season won't be back with their teams. Ron Washington of the Los Angeles Angels and Bruce Bochy of the Texas Rangers are also out with those teams.

According to Olney, some of the candidates expected to be considered by the Braves as Snitker's replacement include current bench coach Walt Weiss, former Chicago Cubs manager David Ross, Rangers senior advisor Skip Schumaker and MLB Network analyst Mark DeRosa.

The Braves job figures to be one of the most appealing managerial vacancies this offseason. They have a roster nucleus with Spencer Strider, Ronald Acuña Jr., Sean Murphy, Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II are all under contract through at least 2027.

Snitker leaves the job ranked third all-time in Braves history with 811 wins. He managed the club for 10 seasons from 2016 to '25, leading them to seven playoff appearances and a victory over the Houston Astros in the 2021 World Series.