Microsoft CEO hunt down to less than 20 candidates, decision expected in 2014

Microsoft won't be rudderless for much longer, as the company's board expects to have chosen a successor to Steve Ballmer before 2014 has time to really get going.

John W. Thompson, a member of Microsoft's board of directors, wrote on the Microsoft blog that the hunt is in the final stages.

"After defining our criteria, we initially cast a wide net across a number of different industries and skill sets. We identified over 100 possible candidates, talked with several dozen, and then focused our energy intensely on a group of about 20 individuals, all extremely impressive in their own right," he wrote.

"As you would expect, as this group has narrowed, we’ve done deeper research and investigation, including with the full Board. We’re moving ahead well, and I expect we’ll complete our work in the early part of 2014."

Thompson said founder and former CEO Bill Gates is actively involved in the process, and that Micrtosoft has only had two CEOs in its 38 year history.

Rumour has it the company is in fact down to four candidates. Names from Cisco, Ford and eBay are considered among the possibilities.

Ballmer announced in August he'd give up the hot seat within 12 months.

Thanks, GamesIndustry.