T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert might be let go before end of contract as company purses new strategy
T-Mobile-owner wants to hand over the reins to the COO as the company takes on a new direction.
German outlet Handelsblatt reports that Deutsche Telekom, the German telecommunications company that has the largest stake in T-Mobile, is looking to reorganize its "most important" subsidiary and may hand the reins to Chief Operating Officer Srini Gopalan, transitioning leadership from CEO Mike Sievert.
T-Mobile is in the midst of change, with the focus changing from growing customer volume to premium pricing and expansion of fiber footprint, and Gopalan, who was transferred from Germany to the US, is said to be the driving force behind the change.
The report seems to indicate Sievert was part of the decision-making process. Apparently, the current CEO wants to take a break and intends to put his successor in charge of the change that's underway.
Handelsblatt says Sievert will part ways with the company either this year or next.
T-Mobile has declined to comment on this rumor but says that Sievert "loves his job." The company told Fierce Wireless that the CEO is excited about its multi-year "Challenger to Champion" strategy. This seems to indicate that Sievert is going to stick around for longer than Handelsblatt expected.
However, T-Mobile has also expressed enthusiasm about having Srini on board, so it's hard to say anything with certainty.
T-Mobile has emerged as a 5G leader and Sievert helped the company increase its market share and set a new market cap record for wireless providers.
If he steps down now, investors might not like it, according to the head of Telecom Equity Research at BNP Paribas Exane, Sam McHugh. That said, there were similar concerns when former CEO John Legere stepped down and Sievert took over but shares have risen 75 percent since then.
While Sievert was key to the Uncarrier movement, Gopalan might be better suited for the task that lies ahead, which is convergence or the bundling of wired and wireless services.
A March report had indicated that T-Mobilemight not be able to maintain its growth streak and this might cause its parent company to replace him.
We believe that Sievert's departure might also help the company distance itself from some of the decisions taken during his era, such as the removal of price lock guarantee and price hikes, and rebrand itself as a premium carrier.
The report seems to indicate Sievert was part of the decision-making process. Apparently, the current CEO wants to take a break and intends to put his successor in charge of the change that's underway.
Sievert has been CEO since 2020 and his contract runs through 2028.
Handelsblatt says Sievert will part ways with the company either this year or next.
T-Mobile has declined to comment on this rumor but says that Sievert "loves his job." The company told Fierce Wireless that the CEO is excited about its multi-year "Challenger to Champion" strategy. This seems to indicate that Sievert is going to stick around for longer than Handelsblatt expected.
However, T-Mobile has also expressed enthusiasm about having Srini on board, so it's hard to say anything with certainty.
Mike and the board are delighted that we have recruited Srini to join our team as COO and bring his experience to our business. The entire senior leadership team is excited to work together to deliver on the ambitious goals we’ve shared with the public.
—T-Mobile spokesperson, June 2025
While Sievert was key to the Uncarrier movement, Gopalan might be better suited for the task that lies ahead, which is convergence or the bundling of wired and wireless services.
In our view a transition from Sievert to Gopalan as CEO may well fit the new strategy better, as Sievert has been one of the key architects of the Uncarrier initiatives that the company is slowly moving away from, while Gopalan does have more experience with convergence.
—Sam McHugh, head of Telecom Equity Research at BNP Paribas Exane, June 2025
We believe that Sievert's departure might also help the company distance itself from some of the decisions taken during his era, such as the removal of price lock guarantee and price hikes, and rebrand itself as a premium carrier.
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