Willie Randolph will know by tonight whether he will be the manager of the Brewers or return for his sixth straight year as the Yankees’ third base coach.

Randolph was in Milwaukee yesterday for his second interview with GM Dean Taylor and according to a source close to the situation, Randolph and Padres coach Davey Lopes will know who the winner of the two-horse race is very soon.

“They are going to make a decision within 24 hours,” the source said late yesterday afternoon. “It’s between Lopes and Randolph.”

Lopes was in Milwaukee for his second interview Monday and according to industry sources, impressed for the second time. Randolph impressed Taylor during his first interview last week in New York and has been considered the favorite from the moment the Brewers fired Phil Garner in the middle of August.

If Randolph doesn’t land the Brewers job, the Angels are said to be interested in interviewing him for their opening.