Brad Ausmus will be hired by the Detroit Tigers to replace Jim Leyland as the team's manager, multiple news outlets reported early on Sunday.

Ausmus, a former Major League All Star catcher, works in San Diego's front office as a special assistant to the general manager. He also managed Israel's team for the 2012 World Baseball Classic.

If the move, first reported by SportsRadio 610 in Houston, is confirmed, this will be the first time Ausmus serves as a manager at the big league level.

Detroit general manager Dave Dombrowski confirmed that Ausmus was interviewed for the post on Monday. The Tigers need a new manager after Jim Leyland stepped down following the team's loss to Boston in the American League Championship Series.

Ausmus played in the majors from 1993-2010. He played for the Tigers for part of the 1996 season, and again from 1999-2000.

Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach and Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon have also interviewed for the Detroit job.