Under consideration to be the next manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, Willie Randolph reportedly turned down a chance to return to the NL East in a coaching capacity.
Newsday reported Saturday that Randolph, who was fired as Mets manager in June, declined a chance to join the Washington Nationals either as their bench coach or third base coach.
Randolph, former Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly and former Oakland Athletics manager Ken Macha are the finalists in Milwaukee to succeed interim manager Dale Sveum.
The Brewers went on to win the NL wild card after Sveum replaced Ned Yost as manager in mid-September.
Randolph turned down the Nationals because of the contentious relationship he had with Manny Acta, according to Newsday. Acta, who was Randolph's third base coach in New York, has managed the Nats the last two seasons.
The Nationals announced on Friday the hiring of five new coaches, including Jim Riggleman as bench coach and Pat Listach as third base coach.
Newsday reported that Randolph would not work in 2009 if he doesn't get the Brewers job. The Mets owe Randolph $2.25 million not to manage in 2009.
Meanwhile, Brewers general manager Doug Melvin is still scrutinizing his managerial candidates.
"I haven't decided yet," Melvin said, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "It's going to be a tough choice. We'll sit down as a group and discuss it and make our decision. I have certain criteria I'm looking for. I'll reveal that when I announce our decision."