Grady Sizemore never expected the opportunity to manage the White Sox.

“I was surprised,” he said Friday. “I was surprised but excited. I welcome the challenge and the opportunity.”

He was given the name by general manager Chris Getz when Pedro Grifol was fired on Thursday with a 28-89 record. It’s an interim tag, as Getz is expected to hire from outside the organization after the season.

Sizemore, meanwhile, has an opportunity to make a difference in the final seven weeks of the season, but he’s playing with a weak roster that has more to do with the Sox’s performance than Grifol’s.

Could Sizemore be forced into the candidacy? That seems unlikely, but stranger things have happened.

“My focus is really tonight,” Sizemore said. “I’ve got a lot to get through right now, a lot on my plate. It would be foolish to skip today.”

A three-time All-Star who earned MVP votes in his first four full seasons and played in 158, 162, 162 and 157 games, Sizemore retired in 2015. He worked in Cleveland’s player development system in 2017, then took a break from baseball until 2023, interning with the Diamondbacks as a low-level minor league coach in the Arizona Complex League paying $15 an hour. He made an impression on former teammate Josh Barfield, the Sox’s associate general manager and director of player development.

His connection with Barfield helped Sizemore, 42, land a job with the Sox last season with the overall title of “major league coach.” His primary responsibilities were running backs, outfield and hitting.

He was named interim manager on Thursday and woke up Friday, hours removed from his duties of managing the Sox in a game against the Cubs at Guaranteed Rate Field in front of a packed house.

“It was crazy,” she said of her first waking moments on Friday. “I still haven’t fully grasped it. I didn’t sleep much last night, I was just so excited, so anxious. It still doesn’t feel real.”

Sizemore kept a low profile at the club but was respected and liked, partly because he was a talented player.

Players say he has a pleasant personality, knows the game and is consistent. His speech to the team before meeting with the media was well-received, a “we’re in this together” speech imploring the players to leave the grievances and complaints accumulated during the recent 21-game losing streak at the door and be prepared come game time. Play hard and play for your teammate, whether you’re playing for a contract or a job next season

“Play for each other. Don’t play for yourself,” outfielder Gavin Sheets said of the message. “Don’t play for the stats. Play for the guy next to you. Play to win every game.”

“And we need to get back to that. We’re in a tough spot in the season right now.”

Indeed, the Sox have lost 25-27 and are 1-18 since the All-Star break.

“We’re 28 years old and we are who we are,” Sheets said. “You’ve got to find reasons to find that motivation. And there’s nothing better than playing for the guy next to you. That’s the message he gave us, and I think it really resonated here.”

“This team plays hard,” Sizemore said. “They work, we don’t just execute. I just want their energy, their focus, their ability to look for opportunities and do their best to take advantage of them.”

The Sox’s terrible season has deflated the clubhouse, and a change at the top is bringing a needed change to the atmosphere. Coaches Charlie Montoyo, Mike Tosar and Eddie Rodriguez have also been fired.

“Pedro is a great guy,” Vaughn said. “We’ve had a lot of conversations, a great baseball mind. It’s definitely sad to see him go.

“Too much change. It’s unfortunate to see people lose their jobs, good people. Sometimes change is good.”