The OpenAI board is in discussions with Sam Altman to return as CEO, according to multiple people familiar with the matter, just one day after the company suddenly fired him, throwing the hottest startup in tech into crisis.

Altman is said to be “ambivalent” about returning and would demand significant governance changes. A source close to Altman says the board had agreed in principle to resign and allow Altman and former president Greg Brockman back, but has since waffled, missing a key 5 PM PT deadline by which many OpenAI staffers were set to resign. If Altman leaves to start a new company, those staffers would likely follow.

The Verge reports that chief scientist Ilya Sutskever was instrumental in the ousting, suggesting a power struggle between the research and product sides. OpenAI’s largest investor, Microsoft, said it remains committed to the partnership but was not given advance warning. The board, which controls the non-profit parent, is not tasked with maximizing shareholder value.

On Hacker News, commenters debate the unusual corporate structure, with one user noting that Microsoft’s investment is in the for-profit subsidiary while the board of the non-profit holds ultimate control. Another remarks: “Pretty incredible incompetence all around if true. From the board for not anticipating a backlash and caving immediately… from Microsoft for investing into an endeavor that is purportedly chartered as non-profit and governed by nobodies who can sink it on a whim.” The thread is flooded with speculation about whether talent will follow Altman out the door.