Washington Nationals fire manager Matt Williams, coaching staff

The Washington Nationals fired manager Matt Williams on Monday after the team failed to make the playoffs.

It was apparent that the club was ready to make a quick decision on Williams' future when general manager Mike Rizzo said Sunday that the team was "not going to let people twist in the wind."

In addition to Williams, the Nationals have also fired bench coach Randy Knorr, pitching coach Steve McCatty, hitting coach Rick Schu, third base coach Bobby Henley, first base coach Tony Tarasco, bullpen coach Matt LeCoroy, and defensive coordinator Mark Weidemaier, according to the Associated Press.

"We had some things that went sideways and we had a whole bunch of injuries, and not much you can do about that except adjust and move on," Williams said on Sunday. "We're all disappointed in the outcome. ... It all ends very abruptly."

Rizzo said that they are going to find out what went right and what went wrong and what they need and what they need to do moving forward.

Williams became the Nationals manager last year. He had one year remaining on his contract as the Nationals exercised his option for 2016 in February. Last year, he was the National League Manager of the Year. This year, he lead the team, who was a favorite to make it to the World Series, to a 83-79 record, finishing seven games behind the New York Mets in the NL East, according to ESPN.

The Nationals had a record of 179-145 under Williams.

For next season the Nationals will name a sixth manager in ten years. Dave Martinez, Wally Backman and Cal Ripken could be candidates for the job.

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