Jonathan Morgan, head coach of Sheffield United Women, told an FA investigation that Maddy Cusack was "generally a liar" — a characterisation he was pressed on at length during the ongoing inquest into her death at Chesterfield coroner's court on Monday.

Cusack died in Derbyshire on 20 September 2023, aged 27. The inquest, which is scheduled to conclude on Friday, has already heard from her parents, who believe Morgan was a central factor in her mental health deteriorating in the months before her death.

What Morgan said — and how he defended it

During an FA interview conducted on 9 May 2024 — part of a separate FA investigation whose findings have not yet been published — Morgan stated it was "hard to be negative about someone who has died" before adding that Cusack was "generally a liar". When asked about those words on Monday, he argued there was "definitely evidence to show Maddy omitted information to her family about my support for her", and said he had been responding to what he described as "a lot of one-sided information" that had appeared in the media following her death.

Hundreds of pages of FA evidence have been made available to the coroner, even though the investigation's conclusions remain unpublished.

Shouting, body comments and team selection

Morgan denied ever shouting at Cusack or calling her a "psycho". He did, however, accept that he had used the phrase "bottom-heavy" when speaking to Cusack and the club physio. He insisted this referred to the muscle distribution in her legs during a discussion about a new strength-and-conditioning programme — not her weight.

A significant portion of Monday's evidence concerned why Cusack was left out of the starting lineup for Morgan's first match in charge of Sheffield United after he took over in February 2023. Dean Armstrong KC, representing the Cusack family, suggested Morgan had been "trying to make a point" to show he was in command of his new squad. Morgan rejected that framing, pointing to medical advice from physio Francesca Carr — whose own evidence last Wednesday corroborated his account — that Cusack had not been fit for selection at that time. Cusack's medical records are no longer available, having been lost during a switch to a different records system, according to Sheffield United's former club doctor.

Morgan also explained that his preferred playing style — built around high-pressing, with heavy demands on short sprints and repeated accelerations — did not initially suit Cusack, who he said excelled at endurance-based running. He added that she had been carrying a setback to an injury first sustained in December 2022, caused by "overloading", with visible swelling around the affected area.

History at Leicester City

Morgan acknowledged he had "struggled to manage" Cusack during a previous stint together at Leicester City in 2018, when she departed the club midway through the season. He attributed that exit to a "lack of playing time", saying the arrangement had not worked "from a footballing point of view".

When he arrived at Sheffield United five years later, Morgan said he asked his assistant Luke Turner to "help me get the best out of her", suggesting he was at least aware of the friction their earlier working relationship had produced.

He also noted that Cusack had thrived under his predecessor Neil Redfearn, whose style he believed suited her better, though he added that by the end of the 2022-23 season she had adapted well to his demands.

The inquest continues.

If you are struggling with your mental health, you can contact Samaritans for free on 116 123 at any time.

Frequently asked

Who was Maddy Cusack?
Maddy Cusack was a Sheffield United Women midfielder who died in Derbyshire on 20 September 2023 at the age of 27. An inquest into her death is currently being heard at Chesterfield coroner's court.
What is the FA investigation into Maddy Cusack's death?
The Football Association conducted a separate investigation following Cusack's death. It interviewed Sheffield United Women head coach Jonathan Morgan in May 2024, among others. The FA's findings have not been published, but hundreds of pages of evidence from that investigation have been made available to the coroner.
When does the Maddy Cusack inquest finish?
The inquest at Chesterfield coroner's court is scheduled to last until Friday of the current week, according to reports from the proceedings.