[s917]

I'm getting the impression that Steve didn't pick a replacement as such, just someone that would keep things ticking over until he recovered.

[snom380]

He certainly picked a replacement he believed in. He made very sure that Jony Ive had certain powers inside Apple. He didn't die overnight, and had plenty of time to consider how to set up Apple.

On the other hand, last time he picked a successor in the 80s he picked the wrong guy.