It is definitely NOT Ultra Magnus for those of you who watched Transformers The Movie in 1986.
And it is certainly NOT Hot Rod even though he is eventually anointed as leader upon becoming Rodimus Prime due to his heroics in activating The Matrix Of Leadership and save Transformers from Unicron carnage. His uncertainly and rashness showed after his leadership in Season 3.
The best leader after Optimus Prime - if you want to know my answer and should you bring up this question - is Springer.
If you can recall the green Autobot who is the first Triplechanger Autobot to be featured in the animation.
Yes to me, he is the perfect fit for the role if he wants to and does not doubt himself. Observed him in all episodes of Season 3 besides the movie. Especially the one when he, Rodimus, Magnus and Arcee become humans.
He might not be as prominent as Magnus and Hot Rod but he has the essential qualities to lead as the leader. When Megatron and his Decepticons attacked Autobot City, he is among the first to react quickly.
And he does not hesitate to bring up Magnus faults when the latter became leader like what the Autobots should do when facing Unicron and when Galvatron and his Sweeps attacked them relentlessly that caused them to split up with Hot Rod and his team.
If he becomes the leader, he will be a subjective, no-nonsense and practical type but when it comes to critical situations, he WILL shine through.
He looks at facts, not feelings. If he thinks you are wrong, you are wrong. He does not care how you feel. He just wants to know what you are going to do to correct your mistakes.
In essence, he looks at the team as a whole and makes decisions based on long-term and in the team's interest rather than individuals. This is clearly evident when he takes Arcee away from danger to activate Autobot City even though the latter is worried about Kup and Hot Rod outside.
I am sure in real life, you might have come across such people. Can be your parents, teachers, friends or even bosses.
That is the reason why I decided to make him leader and give him the chance to shine through in my upcoming story.
If anyone - even Rodimus or Ultra Magnus appointed him, he will turn them down flatly.
But if it is Optimus Prime, it will be a different story.
I did not read the comics but in the animation, he only meets Optimus twice. First when Optimus was dying in the movie and second, when Optimus became a zombie controlled by Quintessons. On both times, they never spoken to each other.
Which is why in my story, they WILL.
)
