His influence isn't declining at all. It has been his toy from the moment it launched years ago. Most of the proposals or simple changes don't make it to the actual main implementation(s) without his consent. It's like everyone is after his approval and agree with any of his decisions afterwards (positive or negative).

I have always found him to be a burden to Ether's growth. The whole ecosystem would be way better off without him throwing bones at anyone not following his path. He's a very smart kid, but so focused on his personal development roadmap, that it is working against the toy he once envisioned to become a decentralized world computer.