He says there has been a "love-hate" relationship between Kumar and stockholders. While many credit Kumar as being a catalyst for positive change, others question his role in the earnings scandal and believe a change in direction is necessary, DiFucci says.
Finding a replacement for Kumar will be difficult. There's no one on the staff who would automatically jump out as a strong candidate, says Richard Ptak, an analyst and consultant with Ptak, Noel & Associates.
"You want to have a strong leader in there," Ptak says. "I'm sure Sanjay has already been doing an informal, or even formal, search to find someone to groom, but I don't know of anyone in Computer Associates today that could credibly step in and take his place."
CA's board issued a statement Wednesday saying it believes the steps taken by the company "are fair and responsive to the situation and in the best interests of CA's customers, shareholders, and employees."
While the examination by the company's internal audit committee and the board's review of the situation has resulted in the removal of a number of individuals from the company, according to the statement, "the changes in Sanjay's role are not based on the conclusion that he engaged in any wrongdoing. Nonetheless, the conduct in question occurred during his tenure."
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