Jonathan Morgan, the Sheffield United women's coach, told an inquest on Tuesday that he was "really happy" to have Maddy Cusack in his squad and had offered her a full-time contract at the club — testimony that sits in stark contrast to accounts given by Cusack's family and former teammates earlier in the proceedings.

Cusack, 27, was found unconscious by her father David at the family home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on 20 September 2023 and was pronounced dead the same day. The inquest is being heard at Chesterfield Coroner's Court.

Vice-captaincy described as 'a big sign of respect'

Morgan, who took charge at Sheffield United in February 2023, confirmed he appointed Cusack as his vice-captain — a decision he described as deliberate. "I wanted her in my senior leadership team, I wanted her opinions," he told the court. "You would not make someone vice-captain if you felt you did not have a good relationship with them."

The coach said that during a phone call on 5 May 2023, when he offered her a full-time contract, Cusack appeared positive. "On face value, I couldn't take anything other than she was happy and positive," he said.

Concerns raised in August 2023

The inquest heard that by August 2023, Morgan had expressed concern that Cusack was "not well" and asked the club doctor, Dr Subhasis Basu, to speak with her. When directly asked whether he had flagged any risk of self-harm or suicide, Morgan said he had not. He told the court he took comfort from the fact that Basu — whom he described as "very good" and "experienced" — had spoken to Cusack and agreed a plan with her.

On 6 September 2023, Cusack messaged Morgan to say she would not be attending training. The pair subsequently arranged a phone call for 11 September, during which Cusack told him she had visited her GP, been prescribed medication, and would be taking time off. Morgan said she had also mentioned potentially attending a match on 30 September. He described the information she gave him as "a positive step forward", though he was careful to say he would not use the word "reassured".

The court heard that no documentation was made of that conversation, and that Morgan subsequently updated Dr Basu.

Conflicting accounts at the heart of the inquest

Morgan's evidence is being heard against a backdrop of very different testimony from those closest to Cusack. Her mother Deborah previously described Morgan as her daughter's "nemesis", alleging he had made comments about Cusack's weight and her relationship in order to "cut her down to size". Grace Riglar, a former teammate who was in a relationship with Cusack, told the inquest that Cusack had been "anxious" about Morgan joining Sheffield United because of her earlier experience working with him at Leicester City.

The court also previously heard that Morgan told the Football Association Cusack was "generally a liar" and had "omitted a lot of information" when speaking to her family about his behaviour — a characterisation that formed a significant part of Monday's evidence.

In a week after Cusack's death, the inquest has heard, her family submitted a written complaint to Sheffield United outlining issues they attributed to her relationship with Morgan.

Assistant coroner Sophie Cartwright KC questioned Morgan on Tuesday about whether he had consulted HR given it was, by his own account, his first experience of a player being absent with mental health difficulties. "I escalated to who I thought was the right person at the time," Morgan replied.

The inquest continues.

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Frequently asked

Who was Maddy Cusack?
Maddy Cusack was a 27-year-old Sheffield United women's footballer who was found unconscious at her family home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on 20 September 2023 and died the same day. An inquest into her death is being heard at Chesterfield Coroner's Court.
What is the Maddy Cusack inquest about?
The inquest is examining the circumstances surrounding Cusack's death. It has heard evidence from her coach Jonathan Morgan, her mother, and former teammates, with conflicting accounts about her relationship with Morgan and the club's handling of her welfare in the months before she died.
Where is the Maddy Cusack inquest being held?
The inquest is being held at Chesterfield Coroner's Court in Derbyshire.