The Milwaukee Brewers have hired Craig Counsell as their manager less than a day after firing Ron Roenicke.

Counsell, a 44-year-old Milwaukee-area native, spent the final five seasons of his 16-year Major League career with the Brewers.

"It's an honor, and it's humbling, but I feel like this is what I was meant to do," Counsell said. "I think I'll be better at this than I was at playing."

Counsell was given a contract through the 2017 season.

"He played the game with a chip on his shoulder and he played the game to win," Doug Melvin said during a news conference. "He has a real edge for preparation."