Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is said to have chosen CEO Steve Ballmer’s successor. However, since the rumor comes from a rather dubious source, this news might be taken with a grain of salt. Also it directly conflicts with another report from an analyst who may be more likely to be familiar with Microsoft’s thinking. It comes from WPDang, a Chinese site, which cites an insider at Microsoft (via Windows Phone Central.
Has Microsoft’s board made up its mind?
If the site is to be trusted, then current Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner will replace Ballmer for only two or three years. Then after that, Stephen Elop, former CEO of Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V), could take over the reins.
Neither one of these two names would be a huge surprise, unfortunately, since they have been said by reputable news outlets to be on Microsoft’s short list of candidates. However, what may be questionable is whether Microsoft would decide to let Turner take over only for a short time and then switch to Elop. The company is desperately in need of a long-term vision, and it’s hard to imagine putting a long-term in place when you only have a temporary CEO at the helm.
What about Ford’s Mulally?
Nomura analyst Rick Sherlund recently suggested that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) would name Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) Alan Mulally as CEO by December. He’s been following the company for quite some time, so he may be a more believable source, although of course it’s still a rumor. Investors are apparently inclined toward Mulally as well, so it’s likely that there would be a good response if he was indeed named Microsoft’s new CEO.
The only big problem Microsoft might be dealing with is Ford’s contract with Mulally. The automaker has said repeatedly that he isn’t leaving, although we have no way of knowing for certain whether that’s just wishful thinking on Ford’s part.
