Don Mattingly is becoming a free agent. Getty Images

Don Mattingly has decided to step away from his Blue Jays bench coach job, but not with the intention of retiring from baseball, The Post has learned.

Mattingly had been with the Blue Jays for three seasons and was enlisted to help mentor John Schneider, who had been elevated to Toronto manager – and a first-time manager – during the 2022 season.

Mattingly’s contract was up and he felt it was mission accomplished with the Blue Jays having won the AL East and reached World Series Game 7 , a source said. Mattingly feels grateful to the Toronto hierarchy for giving him a role with responsibility and he had a kinship with Schneider, who grew up in Livingston, N.J., a Yankee fan who idolized Mattingly.

John Schneider (l) and Don Matti

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