Milicic was appointed this week after a tumultuous five weeks in Australian football following the shock sacking of former Matildas boss Alen Stajcic.

The fallout has seen three more of the Matildas coaching staff resign, the deputy FFA board chair Heather Reid stand down and renewed scrutiny over CEO David Gallop's handling of the affair, amid calls from angry FFA Congress members for an independent review of the debacle.

Today though Milicic was trying to focus on the World Cup just four months away, a Cup of Nations just a week away – and a squad he needed the help of the remaining Matildas staff to name.

But he also revealed even he had not been briefed on the issues that led to Stajcic's surprise axing.

"I'm coming in with fresh eyes and no preconceived thoughts," he told a media conference in Brisbane where the Matildas will be in camp from Saturday for the Cup of Nations which kicks off in Sydney next Thursday.

"I've been around Australian sporting teams for a while now and I know what the environment needs to be. I know how we need to prepare for the World Cup.

"I will use all the experience I have gained over the years and I have no doubt at all that once we start working from Saturday onwards that we will be so focused on this World Cup, it will block out anything from the outside.

"We're very determined to do well and I've got a lot of respect for these women. It's a big journey and I'm pleased to be part of it."

CEO David Gallop conceded the last few weeks had been "frustrating" but refused to go into any more reasons for Stajcic's dismissal, citing confidentiality.

He insisted Milicic's appointment could be permanent beyond the World Cup, saying it was not the same as Bert van Marwijk's caretaker role at Russia 2018 before Graham Arnold took the reins of the Socceroos.

Milicic was also at Russia 2018 and Brazil 2014 with Ange Postecoglou, and was Tony Popovic's assistant at Western Sydney Wanderers during the club's successful early years.

Although he has not worked previously in women's football, Milicic was confident his experience will see him through.

"It's a transition I'm very comfortable with," he said. "You speak about the women's game and the men's game – it is a World Cup. The rules are the same. It's 11 v 11, it's 90 minutes. 

"I'm not the first coach that's come from the men's side to the women's game. In fact. I think it's an advantage as well."

He added: "I think Phil Neville is the best example and that’s worked out with the England national team.

"I’m very confident that the processes we have in place and the way we want to play that the players will adapt. When I look at this opportunity, it’s a fantastic one.

"To do something challenging like this, I think the rewards are potentially very, very high. As a nation in footballing terms, it’s in the top 10 so I am very excited by the challenge.

"I've been around football a long time and there are changes with coaches. Coaches come and go. My job is to focus on what's in front of me and what I can control.

"What I can control is that from Saturday onwards, we will be best prepared as possible to make an impact at such a prestigious tournament."

Milicic has yet to speak to any of his squad beyond the the three Brisbane Roar players at today's press conference, preferring instead to speak face to face when training begins at the weekend.

Gallop refused to be drawn on reasons for the change of coach but insisted the FFA was standing by its decision.

"You don't take decisions to change coaches unless you have good reason and hard decisions are difficult," he said. "This has been particularly difficult. I acknowledge that.

"We've now got an opportunity to go forward, to create an environment where the team can perform to their best...and that's what we're going to focus on."

He admitted his own job, and that of head of national performance Luke Casserly, had come under fire in the wake of the crisis, but insisted that was nothing new.

He added: "Week in, week out, you're in a position where what you do is reviewed. It's a position that is under scrutiny and we're all used to that, Luke included.

"The important thing now is get on with the Cup of Nations and say that this team is in the best possible shape to do well at the World Cup."