All the claims about how OpenAI's board desperately wanted Altman back were based on leaks from "people close to Altman" which the press uncritically lapped up.
If it wasn't clear before, it should be clear in hindsight that the board's desire to welcome Altman back was, at best, overstated.
The leaks were probably an attempt to pressure the board or, failing that, undermine OpenAI.