BOSTON (CBS) – Dale Sveum left his second interview with the Red Sox on Wednesday without an offer.

By Wednesday night he had an offer, but it was from the Chicago Cubs.

Theo Epstein and the Cubs offered Sveum their managerial position, first reported by SI’s Jon Heyman, Wednesday night just hours after he had his second interview with Boston at the GM meetings in Milwaukee.

Although some reports say Sveum will give the Red Sox a chance to counter, Boston is expecting him to take the job in Chicago.

As for where Boston goes now, GM Ben Cherington said they have informed Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin that he was no longer under consideration for the position. That leaves Torey Lovullo, Gene Lamont and Sandy Alomar Jr. in play, with Cherington hinting additional candidates may be added who were not previously interviewed.

Boston was hoping to have a manager in place by Thanksgiving, but with Cherington heading to the Dominican on Thursday to scout outfielder Yoennis Cespedes, and the team now back at square-one with their search, it will likely draw out past next week.

Sveum was viewed as the favorite to land the Red Sox job.