The Nationals plan to name Matt Williams their sixth manager in team history, according to a report Friday by FoxSports.com. The Nationals have not confirmed the report. According to a source, the club has a news conference scheduled during the first week of November.

The Nationals would like to keep Randy Knorr as bench coach, a baseball source said Wednesday. General manager Mike Rizzo was not available for comment. Williams and Rizzo worked together in 2001 when the D-backs won the World Series. Williams was Arizona's everyday third baseman while Rizzo was scouting director.

According to a source, Rizzo targeted Williams, currently the D-backs' third-base coach, for the position as far back as the summer. Another source said Williams was Rizzo's top choice, followed by Knorr and Rays bench coach Dave Martinez.

Rizzo was impressed by the way Williams managed the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League last year. The Rafters lost in the finals. One person familiar with the meeting between Williams and the Nationals said that Williams knew a lot about the team's Minor League system and talked about his plans for the big-league club.