With Edward Liddy’s announcement late yesterday that he will step down as the interim CEO of AIG as soon as a successor is found, the question on everybody’s mind is, “Who, in his/her right mind, would actually take the helm of the insurance giant that is still struggling to survive after its near collapse just eight months ago?”

“It will probably easier than people think to find a successor,” said John A. Challenger, chief executive officer of global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.  “If Liddy was there to stabilize the ship after it nearly sank, then the next person will have the task of rebuilding the company’s reputation and profits.  There are people out there willing to take on that challenge.”

“Whoever takes over will have a lot of issues to address.  At least one lawsuit as already been filed, and more are sure to come; the company remains under the thumb of the federal government; and, worst of all, it is still deeply mired in a crisis of trust,” said Challenger.