Matthias Müller looks set to stand down as Volkswagen CEO this Friday in what is being described as an “evolution of the leadership structure".

Reports in German media suggest Müller, who has been at the helm of the Volkswagen Group since the Dieselgate scandal began in September 2015, will be succeeded by Volkswagen brand chief Herbert Diess.

Volkswagen issued a statement confirming that it's considering management changes that “would also be associated with personnel changes in the board of management”. When contacted, a spokesman couldn’t confirm whether that included the removal of Müller from the group’s lead position. "We do not comment on media speculation," they said.

The Müller departure comes as part of plans thought up by Wolfgang Porsche, Hans Michel Piëch and Hans Dieter Pötsch. The former two come from the families that control more than 52% of the Volkswagen Group, while the latter is its chairman.

Müller’s departure would also leave a vacant space on the board of Porsche, where he also has a seat.

Müller has led the Volkswagen Group through one of its toughest periods as it faced fire for its emissions cheating scandal. He inherited the top role from Martin Winterkorn, who resigned when the scandal broke.

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