The Arizona Diamondbacks’ season is over. They will miss the postseason for a third consecutive year despite finishing the 2026 campaign 10 games over .500 with an 86-76 record.

Their elimination brings further uncertainty regarding manager Torey Lovullo’s future. His contract is expiring, and no reports have indicated whether the Diamondbacks intend to extend his deal or allow him to leave.

The general belief was that Lovullo needed to guide Arizona into the postseason to retain his position. However, team president and CEO Derrick Hall later explained that the decision would not be quite that simple.

Following Arizona’s elimination from postseason contention and a 9-4 road loss to the San Diego Padres on Sunday, Lovullo addressed what could come next.

According to Steve Gilbert from MLB.com, Lovullo said he had compartmentalized the uncertainty and pushed it aside throughout the season.

His priority was remaining present and available for his players rather than allowing questions about his job status to become a distraction inside the clubhouse.

Lovullo does not know where the situation currently stands. He acknowledged that both he and the Diamondbacks have decisions to make and matters to consider before determining whether their relationship will continue.

“I probably compartmentalized it and pushed it aside and just told myself be present for these guys and be available,” Lovullo said.

“My status should be minimized inside of that clubhouse. When it’s time to get to it, it’ll happen. But until this point, I don’t know where it’s at.

“I have some decisions to make. I have some things to think about, as do the D-backs, and where it goes from here. I don’t know,” Lovullo added.

The manager made clear that he would like to remain with the organization. Lovullo considers Arizona his home and expressed his affection for the state, its fans and the people surrounding the team.

He also praised the organization and said he enjoys working with its members every day. Lovullo does not want that relationship to change and still hopes to win a World Series with the Diamondbacks.

However, he emphasized that he wants the organization to genuinely want him back.

“Arizona’s my home. I love Arizona, and the people and the fans are spectacular. The group that I work for is amazing,” Lovullo explained.

“I love being around them every single day, and I don’t want that to change, and I want to win a world championship with this organization, but I want to be wanted. I just want to be wanted, and I’ll leave it at that.”

Lovullo later clarified that he has never personally felt unwanted. His concern involves the outside perception that Arizona is not a strong organization or does not operate correctly.

He wants the baseball community to understand how seriously the Diamondbacks approach their work each day and to feel proud of the organization. Nevertheless, Lovullo recognizes that the uncertainty has continued long enough to require decisions from both sides.

“I’ve never felt unwanted. I just feel like there’s a portion of this that at times spins out of control that we aren’t a good organization and we don’t do things right here,” Lovullo noted.

“I just want people to know how important doing it right is every single day, and we do it that way.

“I want this baseball community to be proud of what we do. I’ve never felt unwanted, but there’s some decisions that need to be made, and it’s gotten this far, so I don’t know what’s going on. Once I figure that out, if it works in my favor, I do want to be wanted.”

Lovullo has managed the Diamondbacks for 10 seasons. He owns a 750-768 overall record and has produced six winning seasons during that span. Arizona must determine its preferred direction, while Lovullo must decide what he wants from the next stage of his career.

Lovullo’s leadership is rooted in loyalty, patience and personal connection. His decision to shield the clubhouse from questions about his future reflects a manager determined to place his players ahead of himself.

He also brings accountability and respect for the organization. Lovullo understands that leadership requires more than game management. It involves creating stability, maintaining trust and representing the franchise with professionalism.

His desire to remain in Arizona reflects a genuine connection to the community rather than simple comfort. At the same time, his insistence on feeling wanted shows self-respect and clarity about the commitment necessary between a manager and his organization.