Guillen done with White Sox By KEN FIDLIN, QMI Agency

Ozzie Guillen points to the crowd at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Ill., Sep. 26, 2011. (FRANK POLICH/Reuters)

CHICAGO - After an emotional meeting with owner Jerry Reinsdorf and a bizarre, inflammatory pre-game press conference, Ozzie Guillen is out after eight lively years as manager of the Chicago White Sox.

The White Sox agreed to Guillen’s request to be released from his contract, with one year remaining, to pursue other opportunities. The White Sox retain rights to compensation should Guillen accept a managerial position elsewhere in 2012.

An ESPN report Monday night said Guillen is close to an agreement to manage the Florida Marlins, who are moving into a new stadium in Miami and changing their name to the Miami Marlins next season.

“I’m good at what I do,” said Guillen. “They should (hire me). Everybody can want me, it’s one thing if they can get me. It’s not easy, like ‘OK, I want to get you, come here and do it.’ No, that’s a process. If the Marlins are interested in me, good for them. I’m open to anything.”

Guillen took the White Sox to a World Series title in 2005, his second full season as manager.

“Believe me, it’s not easy for me and him to have that type of conversation,” said Guillen. “It’s very painful. But this is a business. I want to know what’s my status. That’s the only thing I can do in life, is baseball. I make my money out of baseball. It’s hard for me to put this man in that situation.”