The outlet cites "dozens of people inside and outside" of Microsoft as the sources of the information, with "many" of the unnamed sources being "close to the situation." According to AllThingsD, Ballmer initially planned to stay at Microsoft much longer, though his retirement was "drastically" moved up by the executive himself. After coming to the decision, Microsoft's nine-member board board agreed it was in the company's best interests. Microsoft co-founder and chairman Bill Gates, who has supported Ballmer in the past, allegedly didn't ask Ballmer to step down, though AllThingsD's sources implied the former CEO's faith in his replacement had waned. When asked if Gates spurred Ballmer's decision to retire, one source "with knowledge of the situation" allegedly said the idea was Ballmers, adding, "But was [Gates] as supportive of Ballmer as he had been in the past? Maybe not."