Matt Mullenweg reportedly returns as Automattic CEO two days after getting booted

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Getty Images for TechCrunch" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/gettyimages-2181956675.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Two days after being placed on a paid leave of absence, Matt Mullenweg says he has been reinstated as CEO of Automattic, according to a Slack message <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/11/matt-mullenweg-tells-automattic-staff-in-slack-hes-back-in-control-after-ceo-ouster/?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=bluesky">seen by <em>TechCrunch</em></a>. </p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">As <em>404 Media</em> reported <a href="https://www.404media.co/wordpress-automattic-ceo-matt-mullenweg-put-on-leave-of-absence/">on Wednesday</a>, Mullenweg had told staff in Slack that CFO Mark Davies "conspired" with the board of directors, who voted to "put me on a paid leave of absence." (Mullenweg said he voted against that.) He also told staff that the board had voted for Davies to become interim CEO. Davies, in a separate message, said that Mullenweg would still be a board member, according to <em>404 Media</em>. An Automattic spokesperson told <em>The Verge</em> that Mullenweg was "currently …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/994087/matt-mullenweg-automattic-ceo-return">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>