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  ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Tony La Russa agreed to a two-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, satisfied with the progress and direction of the team's general manager search.

  "I'm real pleased it worked out," La Russa said at a news conference Monday. "I'm thrilled to be back."

  La Russa, 63, confirmed he'd be back more than three weeks after the Cardinals ended a disappointing 78-win season. The firing earlier this month of general manager Walt Jocketty, who hired La Russa in 1995, complicated the process.

  Team chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. expects to hire a new general manager by the end of the World Series. The candidates are all currently assistant GMs, including former Jocketty top aide John Mozeliak.

  "The sooner the better, ideally," DeWitt said.

  La Russa called the GM vacancy "uncomfortable" but said feedback from management and players encouraged him to return. La Russa would have preferred the new GM give the go-ahead for his return, but felt it important to finalize his status heading into free agency.

  DeWitt said all the GM candidates he's talked to have said they'd have no problem working with La Russa. La Russa also said he'd gotten positive feedback from players with the notable exception of third baseman Scott Rolen, with whom he's clashed repeatedly the past few seasons.

  La Russa twice benched Rolen in the 2006 playoffs, displeased with Rolen's failure to disclose the extent of a shoulder injury, while Rolen disagreed with the manager's handling.

  "You've got to be honest, he's probably the one guy who has issues with me," La Russa said. "You hope he's healthy, understand we have issues, and don't let it get in the way."

  La Russa said the firing of Jocketty was not a huge surprise, given the front-office rift that developed with Jeff Luhnow, vice president in charge of amateur scouting and player development. The two clashed in philosophy, Jocketty's old-school approach vs. Luhnow's new-school numbers crunching.

  "I was surprised that it happened like it happened," La Russa said. "But I was not surprised there were issues."

  La Russa finished a three-year deal at the end of the season. He said two years was the right length because a one-year contract would prompt questions from the start.

  "One is the wrong message because from spring training on it's the same deal," La Russa said. "Two lets the players know I'm back for more than one."

  La Russa said he never talked to any teams during his short time as a free agent. His name had surfaced as a possible replacement for Joe Torre, who left the Yankees after 12 seasons, though La Russa denied interest in the Yankees job. La Russa took over the Cardinals after Torre was fired midway through the 1995 season.

  The often prickly La Russa, though, disagreed with speculation he'd have difficulty operating in New York.

  "It's surprising that there are opinions about the job of managing or about me personally who don't really know me," La Russa said. "I think managing is a very challenging thing, no matter where you do it. Nobody gets a free pass."

  La Russa has led St. Louis to seven playoff appearances, six NL Central championships, two pennants and the 2006 World Series win over Detroit. His A's team won the 1989 World Series.

  He had weighed leaving after a trying season in which the defending World Series champions finished 78-84. The year got off to a rocky start before the season even began when La Russa was arrested on a drunken-driving charge in March near the team's spring training complex in Florida. Cardinals reliever Josh Hancock died in May after a drunken-driving accident, and several players were lost for long stretches because of injuries. Staff ace Chris Carpenter pitched only in the season opener.

  La Russa is 1,055-887 (.543) with the Cardinals. He is third on the career wins list with a lifetime record of 2,375-2,070 (.534) with the Chicago White Sox, Oakland A's and the Cardinals. He was AL manger of the year in 1983, 1988 and 1992, and NL manager of the year in 2002.

  Mozeliak has been productive as the interim GM, picking up the option on closer Jason Isringhausen and re-signing starter Joel Pineiro and reliever Russ Springer.

  "I really don't feel like I'm being interviewed over three weeks or something like that," Mozeliak said. "I think they know what I'm capable of doing and Bill just wants to make sure whoever he puts in place he's comfortable with."

  (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

  APTV 10-22-07 1525CDT

I think Tony is a good coach for the cards I am excited to see him back. WE LOVE THE CARDINALS LETS BE THE 2008 WORLD SERIED CHAMPS.

He's lost his credibility

TONY NEEDS TO GO . NEVER DO YOU SPEAK NEGATIVE TO THE PRESS ABOUT YOUR PLAYERS, EDMONDS IS AGOOD ,.EXAMPLE

Time to lead the horse to pasture.

He's the winnignest manager in Cardinal history, why would you even ask such a question? with the injuries and lack of quality players in every position, the fact that this team was only a couple of games out in August is amazing.

After a lack luster season that was plagued with major alcohlic incidents...Tony needs to call it a day and step down!

Ok Tony.......lets do it this coming up year! Put a fire under those boys of summer!

I love Tony god bless ya brother. For once St. Louis comes out on the good end of a manager move :)
Good Move STL Cardinals and good Move Tony

This is where Tony belongs & we are darned lucky we have him......Welcome back Tony!!

I live in Central Ky (5 hours away) and attended 22 home games last year ...good to see that TLR is back ...now let's get some pitching and return to the playoffs ...ownership has to step to the plate and get some hits in the offseason ...remember ...we aren't just getting TLR ....but Dave Duncan as well!

I'm not a sports person, all I can say is good luck

He led them to win the world series just a season ago. I didn't expect them to win a 2nd year in a row. Give Tony a chance to put a better team together next year under new leadership. 2008 will be great!

Very few if any better baseball minds (managers)out there!

Now the Cardinals have to get their wallets out and pay some quality, healthy players. The current Cardinal players need to get all their aches and pains taken care during the off-season so they are ready for spring training.

I am pleased that he is returning. I get so very tired of those people who are always complaining about him. It wouldn't make any difference to them WHO the manager was - even Whitey. They all think they can do a better job. Welcome bank, Tony and good luck!!!

I'm very happy to learn that Tony will be managing the cardinals for at least two more years. I think he's a great coach but the owner needs to get off his butt and get some better pitchers. If you got good pitchers your sure to be a winning team! Good Luck to Tony and the Cardinals. I'll be watching!

Big TONY FAN...WOHOO..

i think it is g r e a t that tony is staying. i knew he couldn't leave his and our boys. they are great fo each other ,but tony should be a little harder on them when they arn't playing well. like i said its great that tony's staying

Every organization goes through highs and lows. Only with Tony this year would the team still be competitive. He helped the team survive during a difficult year. We would have been lower in the standings except for his excellent leadership both on and off the field.

I feel that he has done a great job and he is a great leader in the club house I can only hope that the new contract is a least for 3 years.

What do you think of Tony LaRussa coming back as the Cardinals manager?