Jan 27, 2016 12:17 PM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

The University of Michigan's search for a permanent athletic director may have just come to an end.

Former Boston Globe reporter Mark Blaudschun first broke the news on his website, citing "sources familiar with the process." He indicated an official announcement was not imminent, but is expected by the end of the week.

Since, The Detroit Free Press, Hartford Courant, ESPN.com, and other news outlets have cited their own sources confirming Blaudschun report.

"We have no information to share with you about this report," UM spokesman Rick Fitzgerald told The Free Press.

Manuel is reportedly leaving his post as athletic director at the University of Connecticut after holding that job for just less than four years. Over that span he saw the UConn women's basketball team win three straight NCAA Tournament National Championships, while the men won one national title. He also oversaw the athletics program's transition from the Big East to the AAC.

The Courant learned Manuel interviewed for the job in Ann Arbor last week and attended a Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday morning. UConn President Susan Herbst all but confirmed Manuel was leaving for UM.

"It's happy and sad for us," she told the newspaper. "We're incredibly proud of him, but he has brought a lot to UConn.

"I'll wait to see what Michigan does. We don't like other universities or other university presidents to speak for us... Michigan is a very fine place."

Manuel played college football at UM under legendary coach Bo Schembechler when a neck injury prematurely ended his playing career.

Though he is technically replacing Dave Brandon, who resigned in Nov. 2014, Manuel is really stepping in for interim AD Jim Hackett. In a short period, Hackett secured the hiring of football coach Jim Harbaugh as well as extensions for both the school's basketball coaches.

Despite football team's success under Harbaugh and Hackett's other achievements, he announced late last year he would not be a candidate for the permanent job.

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