The first wave of interviews for the Cubs' vacant managerial position are set, as the Cubs have asked for permission to speak to both Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin and Rangers pictching coach Mike Maddux, and have been granted access. 

According to Yahoo!, both Mackanin and Maddux have been cleared to not only interview with the Cubs, but the Red Sox as well. That shouldn't be a suprise as Theo Epstein and Beb Cherington have similar tastes in personnel. For Mackanin, his shot to woo Theo comes on Friday, the first interview in the post-Quade era.

Mackanin has been the Phillies bench coach since 2009, and so both candidates have been on the losing end of the World Series in each of the last three seasons combined. 

As for other names thrown into the ring? According Comcast SportsNet's Patrick Mooney, Epstein says that Tito might actually have a chance. "Francona would be on top of anyone's list, and wouldn't need to be interviewed, but both sides would have to decide it's a fit."

Dale Sveum is also a big target for both the Cubs and Red Sox, but he has yet to be tabbed for an interview from either club.

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