United Kingdom, July 3 -- Xbox head Phil Spencer is not planning to retire "anytime soon".

In response to retirement rumours that emerged amid the latest Xbox division layoffs, Microsoft communications head Kari Perez insisted Spencer is here to stay.

She told The Verge: "Phil is not retiring anytime soon."

Reports had hinted Spencer might step down after the next-gen console launch, citing internal sources and speculation of successor Sarah Bond but Microsoft has firmly rejected those claims.

This comes after Spencer revealed there would be further layoffs at Xbox "to position [Microsoft] Gaming for enduring success and allow us to focus on strategic growth areas".

An internal memo provided to Insider Gaming reads: "Today we are sha...