Inquest hears Maddy Cusack feared Jonathan Morgan’s return to Sheffield United

Maddy Cusack feared Jonathan Morgan’s return to Sheffield United after previously working under him at Leicester City, her father told an inquest into the 27-year-old footballer’s death. Cusack had just started her sixth season with the Blades in the Women’s Championship when she was found unresponsive at her home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on 20 September 2023 and died the same day.

At Chesterfield Coroner’s Court, David Cusack said his daughter was “dismayed” by Morgan’s appointment as head coach of Sheffield United’s women’s team in February 2023. He said Maddy feared being stigmatised and ridiculed at the club, and believed life had been made “unpleasant” for her when she worked with Morgan at Leicester City.

David Cusack told the court Sheffield United did not offer his daughter psychotherapy or other support despite her mental-health problems. He said she had been prescribed anti-anxiety medication and worried that using mental health as an “excuse” would get her “out” of the team. Maddy had told them she was “loving life” after leaving Leicester in 2019.

Grace Riglar, a fellow professional footballer, told the inquest that Cusack was “anxious” about Morgan joining because of comments he had previously made, including calling her a “psycho” from the sideline during a match. Riglar said Morgan’s behaviour at Sheffield United felt like “mind games”. She also said he made comments about Cusack’s weight and relationship.

Morgan’s return to Sheffield United became deeply distressing after years in which Cusack had been settled and happy away from Leicester. An FA inquiry into her death was ongoing. Morgan, who has denied wrongdoing and is representing himself at the hearing, was sacked by Sheffield United in February 2024 over an “inappropriate and immoral” relationship with a teenage player while he was manager of Leicester City.