When he wasn't hired to manage the Brewers last month, former Mets manager Willie Randolph figured his chances of returning to Milwaukee were shot.

But, he works in baseball, an industry where you never say "never."

In an announcement that came as a surprise to almost everyone, including the former Mets manager himself, the Brewers tabbed Randolph to be the bench coach for manager Ken Macha.

"We are very pleased to add Willie to the organization as he brings recent National League expertise and success to our coaching staff," general manager Doug Melvin said.

"His reputation as a player is a quality that will be valuable in his teaching and coaching of our talented young team. Willie is a professional both on and off the field."

Randolph, 54, who played for the Brewers in 1991 and interviewed for the managing job that went to Ned Yost in 2002, called Macha to offer his congratulations the morning after Macha was named the Brewers' manager. The two spoke for awhile and, four hours later, Macha called to offer him the job.

"I was really shocked and flattered he called me back," Randolph said.

Randolph would like to manage again and is contention for the opening in Seattle, where new GM Jack Zduriencik, the Brewers' former scouting director, is looking for a skipper. Randolph's contract with the Brewers includes a clause that will let him leave if he is offered a manager's job.

"Eventually, I do want to get back to managing," said Randolph, who declined an offer to serve as bench coach in Washington. "I didn't really want to wait around. If I get a job that will put me in the manager's seat any time in my tenure, I could do that. It was nice that Doug left that as an option."

A six-time all-star during his playing career, Randolph spent 11 years as the Yankees bench coach before managing the Mets for parts of four seasons.

He was fired June 17, when the team was 34-35. The Mets were 302-253 under Randolph, a .544 winning percentage that ranks second in franchise history behind Davey Johnson (.588).

The Brewers now have one opening on their coaching staff -- a bullpen catcher to replace Bill Castro, who was named pitching coach Friday. Macha and Melvin expect to fill that position soon.