Nortel CEO Leaving on 'Logical' Note

TORONTO (TheStreet) -- Mike Zafirovski, the CEO of Nortel Networks(NT Quote), is stepping down, having reached a "logical departure point" with the beleaguered telecom equipment maker.

Zafirovski's departure follows a turbulent few months that saw the company enter Chapter 11 bankruptcy and begin carving off its assets. Nortel announced plans to liquidate earlier in the summer, spelling the beginning of the end for the 127-year-old company.

In a statement released Monday, the Canadian company confirmed Zafirovski's immediate departure as well as announcing that the company's board will be reduced from nine members to three.

The news is not exactly out of the blue. Last week. Zafirovski told the Ottawa Citizen newspaper that he planned to leave the company soon, adding that he was close to fulfilling his obligation to Nortel.

"We've reached a logical departure point," said Harry Peace, chairman of Nortel's board, in a statement released Monday. "Mike made a commitment to see the process through the stabilization of the company, sale of its largest assets and the right plans and people to continue operating our business and serving customers."

Former Motorola(MOT Quote) executive Zafirovski was parachuted in to save Nortel in 2005, but has presided over its death throes. The CEO recently told Canadian lawmakers that the credit crunch precipitated Nortel's descent into bankruptcy protection, although the firm had been wrestling with plummeting sales well before its Chapter 11.

Although undoubtedly dealt a difficult hand when he took over at Nortel, Zafirovski's critics have argued that he should have sold off pieces of the company earlier, avoiding a fire sale.