Reid - who has been involved in women's football for over 40 years, and was the first female head of a state federation (Capital Football) - was only elected to the FFA board in November last year, recording a landslide vote in her favour.

It's understood she wants to step down temporarily for "personal reasons" after the FFA were at the centre of a firestorm of criticism over the axing of Stajcic.

Last week, as questions continued to be asked over the reasons behind his removal, Reid rejected claims that she played a key role in the decision.

"It's absolutely not correct," she told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"It's so far from the truth. I have no grudge against Alen Stajcic. To suggest that I have orchestrated his demise and that I’ve influenced the board members is an insult. Not to me, but the whole board.

"I suggest that it's an ugly mess that some people in the media want to push against women of influence.

"Certain people in the game want to ruin the reputation of pioneers like myself and [former director] Moya Dodd and hard-working people like [FFA head of women’s football] Emma Highwood just to shift the blame somewhere else."

Stajcic - who vies with Asian Cup-winning Tom Sermanni for the title of being the Matildas' most successful coach - was controversially sacked after an FFA board meeting amid allegations of a toxic culture among the playing group.

The sacking came just months before the Matildas 2019 World Cup campaign, where the sixth-ranked side are one of the pre-tournament favourites. It also arrived during Australia's bid to host the 2023 Women's World Cup.

While FFA have refused to release further detail on the exact circumstances behind the decision to sack Stajcic, FFA Chairman, Chris Nikou, recently broke his silence, justifying the board decision while maintaining that he was unable to provide exact reasons for the coach's departure.

"I think you'll appreciate that my hands are tied to a certain extent about what I can and can't say about what's occurred," Nikou said.

"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."