HOUSTON, Nov 6 - Long-time Oakland Athletics third-base coach Ron Washington was named manager of the Texas Rangers on Monday.

After 11 seasons on the Athletics' coaching staff, the 54-year-old Washington gets his first chance as a major league manager, replacing Buck Showalter who was sacked at the end of the season after the Rangers finished with a record of 80-82.

"I feel great," Washington told MLB.com. "It's an opportunity I've been looking forward to. The Rangers have a very good nucleus.

"They are very capable of taking it to the next level and with the guys in charge, I think I can help them take that to the next level. They are right on the edge."

Washington, a former player who spent parts of 10 seasons in the major leagues, takes over a team that has not reached the post-season since 1999 but has wealth of talent, including slugger Mark Teixeira and pitcher Kevin Millwood.

"He (Washington) was very impressive," said Rangers owner Tom Hicks. "He's a real winner."