As the buzz about the person who is going to take over the position of outgoing Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer get louder, all eyes are on Ford CEO Alan Mulally, including those of the company's board of directors, who want to know if Mulally will take the job or not.
Mulally is among the frontrunners to replace Ballmer and the 68-year old executive who guided Ford to a successful turnaround since 2006, has been quiet so far as to whether or not he is interested in accepting the role of CEO if Microsoft offers him one. However, if ever Mulally is not offered the role, or even if he declines one, he will most likely stay with the car maker until the end of 2014.
An exclusive report by Reuters indicates that the head hunting efforts of Microsoft has been felt by Ford's board and the latter wants to clear things up with its CEO.
"It's drowning out the rest of the story. People don't write about Mustang, they don't write about earnings, they write about Mulally," a source knowledgeable about the frustration of the board of directors of Ford, told Reuters.
Ford is set to launch the new version of its F-150 pickup and the latest edition of its sporty Mustang.
According to the sources, the decision makers are confident that the company's current COO Mark Fields, who has been with the company for more than two decades, would take the top post.
"He has done what what he needs at Ford," a source revealed to Reuters.
Mulally stepped back this year to allow younger executives of the company to take up more challenges, added the individuals knowledgeable of the matter. His achievements at Ford has been noticed by Microsoft as it tries to find its bearing in the evolving tech industry.
Meanwhile, Ford's Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. indicated the company is ready for all eventuality.
"Alan has done a great job and it's not surprising that another company or many companies would be interested in Alan. He has done a really good job, but part of what he has done well is also get the next generation ready. And so we're operating as we've always operated, and it really hasn't [been a distraction]," the Wall Street Journal quoted Ford as saying.
