MILWAUKEE — The Chicago Cubs are hiring Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell, the Cubs have confirmed.

Writer Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic initially posted the news on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, on Monday. He later posted that the deal is reportedly for a five-year contract and is worth more than $40 million, which would make Counsell the highest-paid manager.

Counsell will replace David Ross after the team slipped out of a playoff spot in the last part of the season. 

The Cubs confirmed the move Monday afternoon in a statement on Facebook. 

"Today we made the difficult decision to dismiss David Ross as our Major League Manager," said Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer in the statement. "On behalf of the Cubs organization, we express our deep gratitude for David's contributions to our club, both on and off the field."

Rosenthal had previously posted on Monday that Counsell would manage next season, but not for the Brewers or New York Mets. The Mets are hiring Carlos Mendoza, according to the post.

The Mets previously got permission to interview Counsell in late October after they had already hired former Brewers President of Baseball Operations David Stearns. Counsell had also recently interviewed with the Cleveland Guardians, who hired former Brewers player Stephen Vogt as their team manager on Monday.

The news comes following the Brewers’ season-ending loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL Wild Card Series. The loss put Counsell in the spotlight, making him a free agent of sorts. He didn’t have a contract beyond the most recent season.

Counsell led the budget-conscious Brewers to five playoff appearances in their last six years.

With Stearns and Counsell in charge, the Brewers enjoyed the franchise’s longest run of sustained success.

But the Cubs hadn’t been seen as a threat to land Counsell because they already had Ross in place. The Cubs went 83-79 this year but faded down the stretch.

Staying in the Midwest rather than leaving for the Mets also gives Counsell a chance to be close to his sons while they play Big Ten baseball. Brady Counsell is at Minnesota and Jack Counsell plays for Michigan.

The Brewers now face the challenge of replacing their most successful manager ever, a figure who had become synonymous with Milwaukee baseball. And they’ll instead have to be competing with him in the division.

Counsell grew up as a Brewers fan in the Milwaukee suburb of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. His father, John Counsell, is the Brewers’ former director of community affairs.

Counsell owned a 707-625 record for the Brewers. He’s been manager for team since 2015 and holds the franchise record for wins and games managed. 

This story is developing. Check back for updates.