Automattic Leadership Crisis Deepens as Founder Claims Return Following Sudden Board Removal
San Francisco, Friday, 11 September 2026.
Automattic founder Matt Mullenweg claims he has regained control as CEO just days after the board placed him on forced leave, calling the internal conflict a necessary founder ‘coup.’
Executive Control Claimed Amidst Board Conflict
On Friday, 11 September 2026, Automattic founder Matt Mullenweg claimed via internal Slack messages that he has resumed control of the company [1]. This announcement comes just days after the board of directors placed him on executive leave, marking a sudden reversal in the leadership status of the WordPress parent company [1][4]. While Mullenweg stated the board is back in agreement, Automattic management has not yet officially confirmed the leadership reversal [1]. The claim highlights ongoing corporate governance friction within the San Francisco-based firm, though interim CEO Mark Davies’ Slack account has reportedly been deactivated [1][4].
Governance Friction and Timeline
The governance conflict began earlier in the week when the Automattic board voted to place Mullenweg on a paid leave of absence on 2026-09-08 [2]. Board members Ann Dunwoody, Toni Schneider, and Sue Decker were reported to have voted on the resolution alongside CFO Mark Davies, who was appointed interim CEO [2][5]. Mullenweg alleged he received the resolution only 50 minutes before the meeting and was denied a request for independent legal review [2][5]. During the interim period, Mullenweg removed Slack administrators from the company’s internal channel and posted messages describing himself as a pirate [1]. Conversely, board member Toni Schneider communicated to staff that the board had decided to ask Mullenweg to step away from his CEO role [3]. As of 11 September 2026, reports indicate that interim CEO Mark Davies’ Slack account has been deactivated, though the board has not issued a statement confirming Mullenweg’s reinstatement [1][4].
Market Context and Legal Battles
This leadership instability occurs amidst a multi-year legal conflict between Automattic and WP Engine, which Mullenweg claims involves plans to destroy his life [1][4]. The corporate turbulence coincides with a decline in WordPress market share, which dropped from a 43.2% peak in December 2025 to 40.3% as of 10 September 2026 [4]. This represents a market share contraction of -6.713 percent over the specified period [4]. In 2024, Mullenweg initiated an Alignment Offer that resulted in 159 employees departing the company, adding to the historical context of internal friction [2].
Future Implications
Mullenweg indicated that a blog post regarding the situation is forthcoming, though previous anticipations regarding company communications have varied [1]. The company spokesperson previously confirmed that Mullenweg would remain on Automattic’s board despite the leave [3]. Investors and employees await official confirmation to resolve the uncertainty surrounding the executive control of the 2026 fiscal year [1][5]. Until an official statement is released, the status of the CEO position remains a subject of active reporting and internal dispute [1][3].