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Automattic confirms Mullenweg has returned as CEO after attempted ouster by board
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Automattic has confirmed that Matt Mullenweg has returned as chief executive, days after the company's board voted to remove him. In a statement issued Saturday evening, a spokesperson said Mullenweg is chairman and CEO with full board support. The confirmation capped a chaotic week for the parent company of WordPress.com.
The board had placed Mullenweg on paid leave earlier in the week for undisclosed reasons. Automattic confirmed the removal on Wednesday and named Chief Financial Officer Mark Davies as interim CEO. Mullenweg, who appeared caught off guard, posted on Automattic's Slack that board members were 'conspiring' against him.
Rather than stepping aside quietly, Mullenweg removed other administrators from the company Slack and told employees he was back in control, according to multiple sources. He also wrote 'I'm a pirate now' and used profanity, behavior colleagues said was out of character. When TechCrunch asked whether his claims were legitimate, he promised a blog post, but the post that followed was about buying a houseboat. Asked if he was trolling, he replied: 'I'm not a troll I'm a pirate, obviously.'
Mullenweg later said on X that this was likely the fifth 'coup' he had faced. Automattic did not respond to requests for comment on Friday. TechCrunch also reported that board member Toni Schneider, a founding CEO of Automattic who now leads Bluesky, had stepped down; he did not respond to requests for comment.
The reversal leaves questions about Automattic's governance and stability. The company controls WordPress.com and plays a central role in the broader WordPress open-source ecosystem. A public board fight followed by a swift reinstatement could unsettle employees, customers, and community contributors who depend on clear leadership.
The company's statement said Mullenweg has full support, but the board's composition may still be changing. TechCrunch heard that further adjustments could be in flux. Mullenweg has not issued an official statement about his return. The episode suggests the turmoil at Automattic may not be fully resolved.
