Al Zink's Invisible Sponsor

Were Al Zink’s actions that of someone trying to be an invisible sponsor?

Yes, no doubt that Al Zink trying be an invisible sponsor. As pointed out in (Kerzner, (2013)) case study Al Zink was not at all ready to make any decisions, he was afraid what would happen to his reputation if the project were to fail. In the first place, Al intentionally tried to avoid Fred several requests to lay out the schedule so that Fred can come with schedule for the project. During the heated conversation between Al and Fred, It was only when Al yelled “just give me a least time schedule” (Kerzner, (2013)) , Fred made Al to decide on something. Once Fred came up with a schedule and asked Al to sign, Al intentionally ignored Fred emails, it was only when there was a mail sent CC’ed their president, Ali signed on the copy. These actions clear suggest to me that Al Zink trying be an invisible sponsor.
Yes, there is no doubt in my mind that Fred acted appropriately in trying to get Al Zink to act as a sponsor. Each People in an organization have their roles and responsibilities to act upon and it was Al Zink duty to act as project sponsor and Fred had every right to request several times lay out the schedule to Al Zink as it was Al’s duty. It seems Fred also smelled Al wanted to be invisible sponsor, so Fred actions made sure to lay out the time and sign the schedule document.

What is your best guess as to what happened to the working relationship between Al Zink and Fred