Valentine emerged as the leading candidate last week after Red Sox ownership met with Dale Sveum and did not make him an offer. Sveum had been Cherington’s choice after the first round of interviews.

Now Valentine is the front-runner in that he apparently comes pre-approved by team president Larry Lucchino. Valentine also has the support of principal owner John Henry, according to sources.

Cherington first discussed the job with Valentine several weeks ago, but the former Rangers and Mets manager was not included in the initial round of interviews.

The Sox are still considering Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr., Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont, and Blue Jays first base coach Torey Lovullo. But none have advanced beyond the first meeting with Cherington and his staff.

Sveum met with Lucchino, Henry, and team chairman Tom Werner Wednesday in Milwaukee. Almost immediately afterward, Lucchino announced the Sox were prepared to consider other candidates to replace Terry Francona.

Sveum was named the manager of the Cubs the next day by Chicago president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, the former Sox general manager.

Cherington spent the weekend in the Dominican Republic scouting Cuban prospects based there and reorganizing the team’s international scouting department. Now that he has returned, his focus will return to finding a manager.

The Sox have said they hope to have a manager in place before Thanksgiving. If today’s meeting with Valentine goes well, that still could be accomplished.

But Lucchino and Cherington have said the process could go beyond Thanksgiving. There are other, as yet unidentified, candidates who spoke informally with the Red Sox.

Valentine now works for ESPN as an analyst, but he has the right to break that contract if he returns to managing.

Valentine spent parts of 15 seasons managing the Rangers and Mets, then six seasons in Japan managing the Chiba Lotte Marines. Valentine, 61, is a native of Stamford, Conn.

Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.