The Detroit Tigers will have a new manager next season.

The team elected not to renew the contract of Brad Ausmus, who took over as the Tigers' manager in 2014, following Jim Leyland's retirement at the end of the 2013 season.

"As we transition the ballclub in a new direction, I feel it's best we have a new approach and a fresh start with the manager position," Tigers general manager Al Avila said in a press release.

Ausmus, who was 312-325 in his four seasons with Detroit heading into Friday's game against the Minnesota Twins, agreed with Avila. Speaking to reporters ahead of Friday's contest at Comerica Park, Ausmus acknowledged that he likely wouldn't have returned to the Tigers if he was offered to stay, saying he believes the team needs a new voice as it undergoes a rebuild.

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Expectations for Ausmus were high from the get-go. In his first season as manager, the Tigers were coming off three straight division titles and had made a World Series run in 2012. Detroit won the American League Central in 2014, but it was swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the AL Division Series.

In the following years, Ausmus would be tasked with the challenge of managing a roster largely comprised of aging stars. The Tigers finished last in the AL Central in 2015. They made a bid for the second AL wild-card spot in 2016 but fell short by 2½ games.

Entering Friday, Detroit was in fourth place in the division, half a game ahead of the Chicago White Sox.

Ausmus, 48, said he would like to manage again in the future.

-- Alex Tekip