The ABC's acting managing director David Anderson has denied the shock sacking of his predecessor Michelle Guthrie is the broadcaster's own version of the recent Liberal leadership spill, amid a report senior ABC executives had threatened to quit over her performance.

Mr Anderson stepped into the top job following the abrupt dismissal of Ms Guthrie on Monday, halfway through her five-year term.

Ms Guthrie said she was "devastated" by the decision and was considering her legal options.

ABC News Breakfast presenter Michael Rowland on Tuesday said a source close to the ABC board told him various senior executives were so unhappy with Ms Guthrie they were prepared to quit.

Asked if he was among them, Mr Anderson said he was not.

"No. Look, I don't know and I can't speak on behalf of the rest of the leadership team," he said.

"I will say we have a talented and aligned leadership team."

The ABC understands Ms Guthrie was given the option to resign from her role as managing director earlier in September, after months of tension with the board, but she refused.

Mr Anderson, the ABC's director of entertainment and specialist, will serve as acting managing director until a formal search process finds a successor.

He said he could not provide any further insight into why the ABC board removed Ms Guthrie.

"It's a matter for the board," he said.

"It was their decision and their deliberations, I'm not privy to the deliberations.

"I don't think ABC board deliberations ever come out in public.

"I think the board need to keep their deliberations to themselves, actually."

A number of high-profile ABC personnel welcomed the news of Ms Guthrie's dismissal, including ABC Melbourne radio host Jon Faine and Four Corners executive producer Sally Neighbour.

Sorry, this video has expired Scott Morrison addresses Michelle Guthrie sacking

Mr Anderson said the comparison to the recent Liberal leadership spill was not apt.

"I think it's different to what happened with [Malcolm] Turnbull, in that there isn't a voting selection here that I'm aware of that is one person over an another," he said.

'Give us an explanation'

There are calls for the ABC board to give a fuller explanation for Ms Guthrie's sacking, which caught many by surprise.

ABC chairman Justin Milne said on Monday the decision was made in the "long-term interests of our own people and the millions of Australians who engage with ABC content every week".

Sorry, this video has expired Is it fair to say Michelle Guthrie has been sacked? Justin Milne speaks with Joe O'Brien

Mr Milne was reluctant to explain what led to the decision "out of respect for Michelle", but when pressed said Ms Guthrie's "leadership style" was a factor.

"The board felt in the end that her leadership style was not the style that we needed going forward," he said.

That explanation has failed to satisfy some.

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Mr Anderson worked closely with Ms Guthrie and described her leadership style as "dynamic", adding he had not known she was about to be sacked.

"I think we're all a bit surprised," he said.

"This has happened certainly behind closed doors, without the knowledge of the leadership team.

"Michelle challenged us in a lot of ways to be better, challenged us to free up more money for content and went about that over the last two-and-a-half years.

"Her relationship with the board is not something the leadership team could actually see, nor will I criticise Michelle in any way for the last two-and-a-half years."