Matt Mullenweg, founder and CEO of Automattic, recently announced via a Slack message to employees that he has regained control of the company following a board decision that had placed him on a paid leave of absence just days earlier. This unexpected turn of events comes after the board had voted to remove Mullenweg from his CEO position, appointing CFO Mark Davies as the interim CEO. While Automattic has yet to officially confirm the reversal, several sources including employees and executive WordPress.org director Mary Hubbard have expressed relief and support for Mullenweg's return.

In his message, Mullenweg indicated that misunderstandings contributed to the board’s initial move and that there was now alignment for him to lead Automattic again. He referenced a recent turbulent 48-hour period and conveyed respect for those involved, adding a lighthearted nod to LL Cool J’s song “Mama Said Knock You Out.” Despite this, indications of internal tension surfaced, including a reported removal of all Slack administrators by Mullenweg and some unusual posts, leaving some to question whether he was serious or playing a prank.

Prior to these recent developments, Mullenweg had used various social media platforms to address the fallout from the board’s decision. On Reddit and X, he denied rumors about his status and hinted at internal conspiracies potentially linked to Silver Lake, a private equity firm involved in a legal dispute with Automattic and Mullenweg. He also sought help with technical matters related to Automattic’s infrastructure during this period, showing an active effort to maintain influence despite the official leave.

This corporate drama highlights the challenges that can arise even for high-profile founders within their companies. Mullenweg’s statement that "if you don’t have a coup attempt every few years, you’re not hiring strong enough leaders" underscores the often rocky nature of leadership in the tech industry. As this situation continues to unfold, Automattic’s future leadership structure remains uncertain, and the company has yet to provide further public updates.