Truth be told I’m still stunned by the news, but the CEO of Google has announced that he is stepping down as CEO of the search engine giant and instead picking up a new role within the Googleplex.
For the last 10 years, we have all been equally involved in making decisions. This triumvirate approach has real benefits in terms of shared wisdom, and we will continue to discuss the big decisions among the three of us. But we have also agreed to clarify our individual roles so there’s clear responsibility and accountability at the top of the company.
Larry will now lead product development and technology strategy, his greatest strengths, and starting from April 4 he will take charge of our day-to-day operations as Google’s Chief Executive Officer. In this new role I know he will merge Google’s technology and business vision brilliantly. I am enormously proud of my last decade as CEO, and I am certain that the next 10 years under Larry will be even better! Larry, in my clear opinion, is ready to lead. (Official Google Blog)
For those wondering, Sergey will retain his title as Co-Founder, and focus on helping new Google products thrive while Eric Schmidt will become Executive Chairman which should free him up from the day-to-day responsibilities of the company.
While not stated, this move is probably in response to Facebook’s massive growth, as the latter races to become the pulse of the planet and the center of all things tech (something Google obviously fears).
With Eric Schmidt out, we could see a greater emphasis on Google launching better products (especially in the social realm) as Larry’s engineering mind could help Google get its groove back (not to mention avoid another public failure via a grandiose product).
Originally posted on January 20, 2011 @ 8:40 pm