Individuals do not make companies, and individuals have reasons outside of work for doing what they do. The man has worked at Apple for almost 35 years, and is 60yrs old - why would he want to continue in a huge role instead of reducing his role?
Oh wow “the marketing.... not the product”. How to utterly, hilariously miss the point.
The marketing is the product. This is exactly why so many people don’t get Apple and how they operate. Do you know who came up with the concept for the click wheel on the original iPod? It was Phil Schiller, he suggested it in a meeting with all the senior heads on how the device should work. Marketing, design and engineering work incredibly closely together at Apple.
Phil would be a great loss (it seems he’s not actually going yet), but Apple has lost major contributors before. They have a strong team and incredible depth of talent. They’ll be ok.
Why would you change what works?
Utterly shocking, I wouldn't be surprised if the stock price plummets tomorrow.