Gary Carter won’t get his dream job of managing the Mets this coming season, but he may have gotten a close second.

Instead of being in the dugout of Citi Field, the Hall of Fame catcher will manage at Citibank Park, taking the helm of the Long Island Ducks.

“As we head into our 10th anniversary season, we are excited to have Gary on board to lead our team,” said Ducks principal owner Frank Boulton in a statement. “He has had great success in baseball both as a player and a manager, and we are confident he will help bring an Atlantic League championship back to Long Island.”

Carter comes to Long Island fresh off a year where he managed the Orange County Flyers of the Golden League to a championship. Before that he managed in the Mets system in 2006 and 2006. Yet minor league manager is not his ultimate goal. The member of the 1986 Mets wants to manage in the majors and made it clear this past year when he lobbied on Sirius Satellite for Willie Randolph’s job, even though the manager still was employed by the team.

It caused some controversy and former teammate and current team broadcaster Keith Hernandez criticized Carter on the air.

Nevertheless, Carter moved on and will manage a Long Island Ducks team which is co-owned by Carter’s old coach Buddy Harrelson. He replaced Dave LaPoint, who now moves over to become pitching coach.

Carter will be introduced Monday at a press conference.

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