VMware CEO Laughs Off Rumors of His Exit Post Dell-EMC Merger

VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger is denying a report that he’s stepping down once Dell completes its $70 billion acquisition of EMC – poised to wrap before the year is out.

Gelsinger responded to a Computer Reseller News report that said he possibly could be replaced by GoPro president Tony Bates. It also said he was getting pushed out for performance reasons and tensions with EMC/Dell management. In addition, it said the announcement could come in August.

EMC acquired VMware in 2003 and owns about 80 percent of the company. The Dell-EMC acquisition is being called the biggest tech merger in history.

“I categorically deny it,” Gelsinger said Wednesday at the Jefferies Technology Conference. “EMC categorically denies it. And Dell categorically denies it. So there’s absolutely no merit or substance to the rumor whatsoever. And my intention is to stay here and (Dell CEO Michael Dell’s) intention is to stay here, as well.”

Gelsinger disregarded rumors of tensions with management, saying he joked about the report with Dell at a company retreat, according to Business Insider.{ad}

“I got the heads up from the PR rep about the rumor, I got a text from him, and I handed my phone to Michael, and asked, ‘Michael is there something that I don’t know?'” he said. “And we, of course, got a laugh about it. But absolutely no basis for it, whatsoever.”

VMware’s COO, CTO and CFO left recently, along with a number of leading executives.