Last week Oracle refused to discuss Maffei’s future plans, saying only that he was leaving for a terrific professional opportunity.’
Maffei was rumored to have left the Redwood Shores, California-based database company after personality clashes with other top Oracle executives. He was promptly replaced by co-president Safra Catz, Oracle’s newest rising executive star.
But Maffei’s days as CFO at the Engelwood, Colorado-based firm are already numbered. He will step into the CEO shoes in mid-2006 after a transition period.
Many believe that Maffei, a long time Microsoft Corp executive, was also eyeing the top-dog position at Oracle, and left because CEO Larry Ellison gave no signs of relinquishing the role anytime soon.
