Jonathan Morgan, the coach who managed Maddy Cusack during her final months at Sheffield United, told the Football Association she was "generally a liar" — a claim that formed part of his account to the governing body following her death. That evidence was put to Morgan at Chesterfield Coroner's Court on Monday as the two-week inquest into Cusack's death continued.

Cusack, 27, was found unconscious by her father at their family home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on 20 September 2023, and was pronounced dead the same day.

What Morgan told the FA — and his explanation

Under questioning from Dean Armstrong KC, who represents Cusack's family, Morgan said the "lying comment" was rooted in what he described as omissions Cusack made when speaking to her relatives. "It became evident she omitted things to her family and others that I had supported her with," he told assistant coroner Sophie Cartwright KC. He added that there had been "a lot of one-sided information" in how the situation had been portrayed.

Morgan, who began coaching Cusack in February 2023, said he had no concerns about his relationship with her when he joined Sheffield United. He had previously released Cusack during his time as a coach at Leicester City — a fact already established at the inquest.

Allegations of body comments and reduced playing time

The inquest heard that Morgan told Cusack she was "too muscular, too bottom-heavy" to carry out the number of sprints required by his style of football. Morgan confirmed the comment but said her strength and conditioning programme was subsequently adjusted, and that her running statistics had improved noticeably by the end of the season.

On the question of Cusack's reduced playing time after his arrival, Morgan said she was still recovering from a foot injury (although the inquest was told she had played a full 90 minutes the week before he joined). He said that due to the form of other players, she was not selected until his fourth game in charge, and denied the reduced role was intended to "cut her down to size".

Relationship disclosure and alleged remarks

Cusack's mother Deborah had previously told the inquest that her daughter would have been "absolutely humiliated beyond belief" when Morgan referred to Cusack's girlfriend and teammate Grace Riglar as "Mrs Cusack" in front of other players. Morgan denied that specific phrasing, saying he used the phrase "here come the girlfriends" and described the remark as "tongue-in-cheek" banter.

Morgan also told the inquest he had requested Cusack disclose her relationship with Riglar to the whole squad. He justified the request by saying past relationships within squads had caused divisions in team environments. Riglar had earlier given evidence that Cusack was "anxious" about Morgan joining Sheffield United, based on her experience of working alongside him at Leicester City.

Final weeks and welfare concerns

Morgan told the court he began noticing a change in Cusack's behaviour in August 2023 — describing her as "less bubbly, less energetic." He arranged a meeting with her on 4 September and subsequently contacted the club doctor, saying he thought "something was bothering Maddy" and that she might need some help. That contact came 16 days before she was found unconscious.

A former teammate, Nina Wilson, had earlier told the inquest that Cusack's death was "definitely preventable". Cusack's mother Deborah described Morgan as her daughter's "nemesis", alleging he made comments about her weight and relationship in order to "cut her down to size" and maintain control.

The inquest at Chesterfield Coroner's Court is ongoing.

FAQs

Frequently asked

Who was Maddy Cusack and what happened to her?
Maddy Cusack was a 27-year-old midfielder who played for Sheffield United Women. She was found unconscious at her 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.
What is the Maddy Cusack inquest looking into?
The two-week inquest is examining the circumstances surrounding Cusack's death, including her professional relationships at Sheffield United and the conduct of coach Jonathan Morgan. Witnesses including family members, teammates, and Morgan himself have given evidence to assistant coroner Sophie Cartwright KC.
What did Jonathan Morgan say at the Maddy Cusack inquest?
Morgan confirmed he told the FA that Cusack was 'generally a liar', explaining she had omitted information to her family about the support he provided. He also confirmed he told her she was 'too muscular, too bottom-heavy' for his playing style, and denied allegations that he shouted at her or deliberately restricted her playing time to undermine her.