 In January 1949 Sewell was hired as a pitching coach by the Cincinnati Reds and, in October of that year, he took over as the Reds' manager from Bucky Walters.After two unsuccessful seasons with the Reds, he resigned in July 1952 and was replaced by Rogers Hornsby.Sewell's major league managerial record was 606-644, a .485 winning percentage.