Apple’s chief operating officer plans to hand the role off this month and retire later this year after roughly a decade as the tech giant’s No. 2 under Chief Executive Tim Cook.

Mr. Williams was long considered a leading candidate to replace Tim Cook as the company’s next chief executive.

Apple COO Jeff Williams, once seen as Tim Cook’s natural successor, is retiring this year. With no clear backup plan in place, attention has shifted to hardware head John Ternus. Tim Cook is expected to continue leading Apple for the next few years.

Apple CEO Tim Cook is under growing scrutiny from analysts and investors despite a recent management shakeup, according to Benzinga. Craig Moffett of MoffettNathanson is one of the few analysts with a Sell rating on Apple stock.

The legendary Apple design team hasn't had much luck holding onto leadership since Jony Ive left, and with COO Jeff Williams retiring, the leadership role will shift to CEO Tim Cook.

Apple’s most worrisome weaknesses are on display, from a lackluster AI strategy to a string of executive departures.