Questions about Mr Michel Bon's future as France Telecom chairman mounted over the weekend ahead of a crucial meeting to decide the fate of its ties with ailing German affiliate MobilCom.
Speculation about Mr Bon's future has increased in recent weeks as investors, worried the company could post massive first-half losses this week, pummelled the shares to two-month lows last Thursday despite a government vow to support the firm.
France Telecom stock has lost over three-quarters of its value since the start of the year as investors fret about its debt mountain and finances.
The meeting this Thursday to decide the phone operator's ties with MobilCom, in which it holds a 28.5 per cent stake, comes a day before France Telecom reports first-half results.
Mr Bon has come under increasing criticism for overseeing an ambitious expansion programme which saddled the telecoms company with over €70 billion of debt.
PA