The inquest into the death of Sheffield United footballer Maddy Cusack continued at Chesterfield Coroner's Court on Tuesday, with head coach Jonathan Morgan returning to give further evidence about his relationship with the player and the final weeks before she was found unconscious at her family home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on 20 September 2023.

Cusack, who was 27 years old at the time of her death, had been under Morgan's management since he joined Sheffield United as head coach in February 2023. On Tuesday he told the court he had made her vice-captain — a decision he described as a "big sign of respect" — and that he had wanted her opinions as part of his senior leadership group. "You would not make someone vice-captain if you felt you did not have a good relationship with them," he said.

The inquest heard that in a phone call on 5 May 2023, Morgan had offered Cusack a full-time contract at the club. Recalling her reaction, he said: "On face value, I couldn't take anything other than she was happy and positive."

Those words, however, sit against a markedly different picture painted by other witnesses earlier in the proceedings. Grace Riglar, who played alongside Cusack and was in a relationship with her, told the inquest that Cusack had been "anxious" about Morgan joining Sheffield United because of her prior experience working under him at Leicester City. Cusack's mother Deborah described the coach as her daughter's "nemesis", claiming he had made remarks about her weight and personal life as a means of control. The court also heard that in the week after Cusack's death, her family submitted a written complaint to Sheffield United setting out a series of concerns about her relationship with Morgan.

In his own evidence on Monday, it emerged Morgan had told the Football Association that Cusack was "generally a liar" and had "omitted a lot of information" when speaking to her family about his conduct.

Concerns in August 2023

The inquest heard that by August 2023, Morgan had expressed concerns that Cusack was "not well" and asked club doctor Dr Subhasis Basu to speak with her. When pressed on whether those concerns had extended to a risk of self-harm or suicide, Morgan said they had not. He told the court he had taken comfort from Basu's involvement, describing the doctor as "very good" and "experienced" in his role, and said Basu had updated him to confirm a plan had been agreed with Cusack.

The Final Phone Call

On 6 September 2023, Cusack sent Morgan a message saying she would not be attending training. After she made contact again, the two spoke by phone on 11 September — nine days before she was found by her father David. During that call, Morgan told the court, Cusack informed him she had visited her GP, had been prescribed medication, and would be taking time off. They also discussed the possibility of her attending a match scheduled for 30 September.

Morgan described the conversation as providing him with "enough reassurance she wanted to get back into football", though he chose his words carefully when pushed further. "I wouldn't use the word reassured," he said, "but the information she gave me was a positive step forward, in my opinion."

The inquest heard that no documentation was made of the call. Assistant coroner Sophie Cartwright KC questioned Morgan on whether he had consulted Sheffield United's HR department, given it was his "first experience" of a player being absent from work due to mental health difficulties. "I escalated to who I thought was the right person at the time," Morgan replied.

He also confirmed that had he believed Cusack to be at imminent risk of self-harm, he would have raised further concerns with the club doctor.

The inquest continues.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article, support is available through the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24 hours) or via samaritans.org.

Frequently asked

What happened to Maddy Cusack?
Maddy Cusack, a 27-year-old Sheffield United footballer, was found unconscious by her father at their family home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on 20 September 2023 and was pronounced dead the same day. An inquest into her death is currently being heard at Chesterfield Coroner's Court.
Who is Jonathan Morgan and what is his connection to Maddy Cusack?
Jonathan Morgan was Maddy Cusack's head coach at Sheffield United, having joined the club in February 2023. He had previously managed Cusack at Leicester City. He is giving evidence at the inquest into her death.
Where is the Maddy Cusack inquest being held?
The inquest into Maddy Cusack's death is being held at Chesterfield Coroner's Court. It is ongoing, with witnesses including coaching staff, fellow players, and family members giving evidence.