Jürgen Gallmann, 44, plans to leave Microsoft at the end of the year, the company said in a statement.

Gallman "has requested the termination of his contract due to differing opinions concerning the future direction for Microsoft Deutschland," Microsoft said.
The software maker said Klaus Holse Andersen, a vice president, will become interim general manager of Microsoft Germany, reporting to Jean-Philippe Courtois, president of Microsoft International.
"I very much regret Jürgen's decision to leave the company and would like to thank him for his successful work," CEO Steve Ballmer said in a statement. "We will remain close friends in the future."
Gallmann led Microsoft in Germany since November 2002 and was a member of the company's international leadership team.
Also on Wednesday, the company said its services chief, Rick Devenuti, plans to leave at year's end.
Discuss: Microsoft Germany head to depart
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