SLIDESHOW: Who Could Replace Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer?

Global Equities Research analyst Trip Chowdhry has repeatedly shared his support for Vic Gundotra, a former Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) exec who now serves as Google's (NASDAQ: GOOG) Senior VP of Engineering.

In a note to investors on August 23, Chowdhry said that Gundotra is "probably the best executive who has first-hand experience working with a new generation company and creating several new ecosystems."

Chowdhry also said that the converged view is that the relationship between Microsoft and Yahoo (NASDAQ: YHOO) could improve if Gundotra becomes CEO.

As a Google employee, Gundotra formed a good business relationship with Marissa Mayer, who now runs Yahoo.

"[Gundotra's] appointment would bring knowledge of how Google relentlessly innovates and captures the technological initiative," The Guardian's Charles Arthur wrote on August 27.

PandoDaily's number-one pick is none other than Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) CEO John Chambers.

"…Chambers, for all of his folksy talk, has been great at a few key things [at Cisco]," PandoDaily's Fritz Nelson wrote in his post.

"He's quick to assess damage and change course, admitting when his bets haven't paid off, and transparent about his company's business goals, and how it will achieve them."

Nelson also praised Chambers' "dynamic and charming" personality and his ability to stay ahead of trends.

The Guardian, PolicyMic and NDTV Gadgets agree that Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) COO Kevin Turner would make a great CEO.

He might be a long-shot though.

According to The Wall Street Journal's Brian R. Fitzgerald, Microsoft insiders doubt that Turner could become the CEO of a firm "that lionizes engineering and tech expertise."

Tony Bates currently serves as Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) executive VP of business development.

While his time with Microsoft has been shorter than some (he came aboard when Skype was acquired), he is one of the more prestigious execs working at the firm.

According to WinSource, Bates is a frontrunner for the CEO gig.

As the executive VP of Microsoft's Cloud and Enterprise group, Satya Nadella has gained praise from Steve Ballmer for adding relevancy to the cloud business.

"As a man looking after the company's cloud offerings, Nadella may turn out to be the strongest internal candidate for Ballmer's job," Times of India wrote in August.

Nadella has appeared on the potential CEO list of countless publications -- ZDNet, The Guardian, PolicyMic, Deccan Chronicle and NDTV Gadgets, to name a few.

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