Automattic confirms Matt Mullenweg has returned to his position as chairman and CEO "with full support of the board", after an attempted ouster this week

Automattic's board has reversed its decision to oust CEO Matt Mullenweg.

Automattic has confirmed that Matt Mullenweg has returned to his roles as chairman and CEO, stating he has the "full support of the board." This comes after the board had voted earlier in the week to place Mullenweg on a paid leave of absence, a decision he appeared to contest internally. Following the board's vote, Mullenweg was reportedly removed from company Slack channels, with CFO Mark Davies stepping in as interim CEO. However, sources indicated Mullenweg regained control, expelling other administrators from Slack and announcing his return. Automattic's spokesperson confirmed his reinstated position, with Mullenweg himself alluding to previous "coup" attempts and adopting a "pirate" persona on Slack. Reports also suggest potential board changes, including the departure of Toni Schneider, though Automattic has not officially commented on these specific details.

The swift reversal of the board's decision to oust Matt Mullenweg signals a significant internal power struggle within Automattic. His public defiance and subsequent reinstatement suggest a deep division or a lack of consensus among board members regarding leadership. This event highlights the challenges of executive succession and board governance in founder-led technology companies. It also raises questions about the stability of Automattic's leadership and its long-term strategic direction under Mullenweg's continued, albeit contested, command.

This internal turmoil at Automattic, a company deeply tied to the WordPress ecosystem, could have ripple effects on its open-source community and its relationship with external partners. Investors and employees will likely be watching for increased transparency and a clear articulation of future strategy to restore confidence. The situation also underscores the potential for founder-centric control to create both immense value and significant governance risks, making it a case study for how such conflicts are resolved in the tech industry.