DETROIT (AP) — Dave Dombrowski says there had been no talks with Tigers ownership about a new contract, so as the end of the season drew closer, he began to have doubts about his future in Detroit.

“You’re sort of suspicious there’s a chance it could go the other direction,” Dombrowski said.

The Tigers announced Tuesday that Dombrowski’s tenure as president and general manager was over, naming Al Avila the new GM. The move seemed abrupt, especially because Dombrowski had just finished making a series of trades with an eye toward the team’s future. But Dombrowski was in the last season of his contract, and he says there were no talks about a new deal.

Dombrowski said he found out about the organization’s decision Tuesday. He said Avila ”“ who has been his top assistant ”“ had given him an indication that owner Mike Ilitch would be reaching out to him.

Dombrowski said he spoke with Ilitch a short while later, and the team had simply gone in another direction.