Hamburg Deutsche Telekom is preparing for the departure of its long-time CEO Timotheus Höttges, 59, whose contract will end in four years. This is indicated by internal plans and personnel decisions, which the Handelsblatt learned about from Group circles.
As Höttges’ successor, Srinivasan Gopalan, 53, is currently planned. Gopalan, who is responsible for the important German business on the board, was already considered a secret crown prince.
The next link in the personnel chain is now apparently Wolfgang Metze, 49. According to insiders, he is to replace Gopalan as soon as he ascends to higher orders.
Metze is currently still under contract with Telekom competitor Telefónica Deutschland (O2). He had been released there on June 2 – “for personal reasons”, but at almost full salary – as a private customer board member. In the industry, this step had surprised many.
Since then, family man Metze has been using the summer for extensive holidays and a lot of sports. His succession has not been settled to this day.
