Matt Mullenweg tells Automattic staff in Slack he's back in control after ouster

Automattic founder Matt Mullenweg says via Slack he has regained CEO control days after the board ousted him and made CFO Mark Davies interim CEO.

Automattic's board voted earlier this week to place founder Matt Mullenweg on paid leave and named CFO Mark Davies interim CEO, confirmed at the time by a company spokesperson. On Friday, Mullenweg posted in Automattic's Slack that the board was 'back in agreement' and that he was in control; employee sources said Davies' Slack account was deactivated. Mullenweg has publicly suggested Silver Lake, majority owner of WP Engine — which is suing Mullenweg and Automattic — was involved in the ouster. Automattic had not formally confirmed his claim and the situation remains fluid.

• Board placed Mullenweg on paid leave earlier this week; CFO Mark Davies became interim CEO.
• Mullenweg announced via Slack the board is 'back in agreement' and he controls Automattic.
• Davies' Slack account was deactivated and Mullenweg removed Slack admins, per employee sources.
• Mullenweg linked the ouster to Silver Lake, majority owner of litigant WP Engine.