Matt Mullenweg Announces He’s Back in Control of Automattic via Slack

According to a Slack screenshot obtained by TechCrunch, WordPress founder and Automattic chairman Matt Mullenweg sent a message to the company’s staff declaring that he has once again taken the reins of the business. The note arrived just days after the board voted to put Mullenweg on a forced leave of absence.

In the brief post, Mullenweg wrote something along the lines of, “I’m still here as the company’s leader and will continue making decisions.” Employees who saw the message on the internal communication platform quickly took to social media, calling for a clear, official statement from the firm.

The background to this drama dates back to last week when Automattic’s board announced that a disagreement over the CEO role required Mullenweg to step aside temporarily. The move sent shockwaves through the company’s senior leadership and among its investors, creating a climate of uncertainty.

Mullenweg’s Slack announcement, however, suggests that the impasse may be resolving in his favor. So far, Automattic has not issued a formal response confirming the reversal, leaving the situation officially unverified.

Industry analysts warn that internal communications leaking to the public can damage a company’s reputation and signal that the board‑management relationship remains strained. While the message reassures some employees, it also raises questions about how Mullenweg’s renewed authority will shape Automattic’s product roadmap and long‑term strategy.

In short, the leadership tussle at Automattic has introduced short‑term volatility, but it could also prompt a restructuring of decision‑making processes and governance models in the months ahead. Stakeholders will be watching closely for an official clarification from the board or from Mullenweg himself.

Source: TechCrunch

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