MILWAUKEE — Ken Macha was hired today as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, taking over from Dale Sveum following the team's first postseason appearance since 1982.

The 58-year-old Macha, who managed Oakland to a pair of AL West titles, agreed to a two-year contract. He replaces Sveum, who became interim manager when Ned Yost was fired with 12 games left in the regular season.

"It means a tremendous amount to me," Macha said. "The players are the guys that go out there and win or lose the games for you, and I think the job of a manager and a coach is to get these players as prepared as you possibly can."

Macha immediately tried to dispel the notion that he lost touch with his players in Oakland, including Jason Kendall, now the Brewers catcher.

"I've got a couple things to say about that. No. 1, the job of the manager is really not to be buddies with all the players. You have to make very difficult decisions over the course of the year," he said. "Sometimes players get a little personal and think it's personal. It really isn't."

Macha led Oakland to a 368-260 record. He was fired two days after the Athletics were swept by Detroit in the 2006 AL championship series, a result that frustrated players.

"I think if you go back and talk to those players now, they might have a little bit of a different take," Macha said.

Macha said he spoke with Sveum, who was dropped from consideration Oct. 17, and encouraged him to keep his dream of being a manager one day.

"I really feel that Dale will be a plus to this staff," Macha said. "I'm hoping that he stays."

Willie Randolph and Bob Brenly also were finalists for the job.

Six years ago, Macha was considered the lead candidate to become the Brewers manager when Doug Melvin became GM, but Macha was promoted from bench coach to manager in Oakland.

Milwaukee went 90-72 last season and won the wild-card berth on the final day. The Brewers then lost in four games to Philadelphia, the eventual World Series champs, in the first round of the playoffs.

But even with a deep core of young players, the Brewers will look much different next season because of 12 potential free agents, including CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets.