Football Federation Australia chairman Chris Nikou remains defiant on the controversial sacking of Alen Stajcic as the search for his successor gathers pace. Nikou says the FFA board was unanimous in deciding to axe Stajcic five months before the World Cup, but has again refused to divulge specific reasons.

“My hands are tied to a certain extent about what I can and can’t say about what has occurred,” Nikou told ABC radio on Sunday. “This was not a decision taken lightly. It was after due consideration in consultation with the management team based in part on surveys but based in part on other information before the board.”

Stajcic was sacked eight days ago as coach of the world No 6 Matildas after surveys by the Professional Footballers Association and women’s advocacy group Our Watch. FFA chief David Gallop and Nikou have cited confidentiality arrangements for not being able to detail why Stajcic was removed.

Nikou said the survey by Our Watch was only part of the reasoning for Stajcic’s axing. “It’s a factor ... it was only one of a number of items that the board took on board,” he said.

Two other Matildas coaching staff – assistant coach Nahuel Arrarte and goalkeeping coach Paul Jones – have quit since Stajcic was dumped but Nikou denied an anti-Stajcic faction of former players had led to his sacking.

“I have heard it, of course, but it’s simply untrue,” he said. “Unfortunately those sorts of rumours and innuendo are much more interesting than the plain, boring facts of the situation ... We dealt with the issues as they were presented to us without any of those motives people have tried to put to us.”

FFA has appointed a four-person panel to find a new coach ahead of the Matildas hosting a four-nations tournament starting on 28 February in Sydney. “We have been swamped by applications for this role,” Nikou said. “It remains a great role to be involved with, a wonderful playing squad, it has got a lot of upsides.

“People in the football community can rest assured that the most qualified person, and the person best placed to take this group forward, will be appointed, whether that be male or female.”