Well, supposedly this story is being spun so many different ways

Red Sox ownership is reportedly working to bring back former general manager Theo Epstein in a consulting/advisory position.
Epstein would advise Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington, the members of the Sox' baseball operations team who are expected to serve as co-general managers for the 2006 season.

Some reporters believe it to be a "him or me" situation with Theo, some don't. I think he'd work well in an advisors role. Let someone else answer to Lucky while still having power in the organization. I can see something like this happening, give him a semi-rest for a year or two and then, if he wants, he can pursue a job elsewhere or even within. Very interesting though.