14 DAY TRIAL // Steve Ballmer will soon leave Microsoft, so the company continues the search for a new CEO, with a recently-founded board committee now looking into both internal and external candidates.
Negotiations with potential successors for Steve Ballmer shouldn’t take more than 12 months, Redmond said in a recent statement, but according to a report published by AllThingsD and citing sources familiar with the matter, a new CEO might be announced very soon.
No details have been provided on who could take over from Steve Ballmer, but the aforementioned report reveals that the board wants a new leader as soon as possible in order to get the company back on track.
“This job will be filled sooner than later. It’s imperative to bring a sense of clarity as soon as possible,” an insider was quoted as saying.
Word was that Ford CEO Alan Mulally could join Microsoft for a temporary CEO role, but these rumors have already been denied by the man behind one of the largest American car manufacturers.
“I continue to be focused on serving our Ford … and I have my red Ford vest on right now!!” Mulally told the same source in a statement.
Now all eyes are on Bill Gates, Microsoft’s co-founder who’s considered to be the right choice for the Redmond-based software giant during these difficult times. Gates has what it takes to refresh Microsoft, analysts said, so he’s the best option on both the short and the long term.
Gates, on the other hand, has no intention to return to Microsoft in the CEO role and is only helping the board committee find someone to replace Ballmer. In the meantime, he’s fully focused on his charity work around the world, as he continues his efforts to cure a number of diseases in poor African countries.