Inquest hears damning details about former Sheffield United manager
The inquest into the death of Maddy Cusack heard on Monday that her former manager Jonathan Morgan branded her “generally a liar” during a Football Association investigation. Cusack died in Derbyshire on 20 September 2023, aged 27, and her parents have stated they believe Morgan played a significant role in the deterioration of her mental health.
Giving evidence at Chesterfield coroner’s court, Morgan denied ever shouting at Cusack or calling her a “psycho”, and insisted he had been concerned about her wellbeing. He took charge of Sheffield United in February 2023 and had previously coached Cusack at Leicester City in 2018.
Morgan’s testimony on the ‘bottom-heavy’ comment and playing style
Morgan admitted during the inquest that he had referred to Cusack as “bottom-heavy” in a meeting with the player and the team’s physio. However, he claimed he was discussing the muscles in her legs while planning a strength-and-conditioning programme, not commenting on her weight.
Explaining his decision not to start Cusack in his first match in charge, Morgan said medical advice from physio Francesca Carr had indicated she was not fit for selection. Carr had told the court last Wednesday that Cusack was injured at the time. Morgan added that his high-pressing playing style, requiring explosive speed and acceleration, suited other players in the squad more, though he praised Cusack’s endurance and said she became a regular starter towards the end of the 2023 spring season.
“She was injured when I first came in. I’m not really sure that’s me ‘showing who is boss’,” Morgan said, denying a suggestion from the family’s legal representative that he had been trying to make a point by leaving her out.
The FA investigation and the ‘liar’ remark
As part of a separate FA investigation, Morgan was interviewed on 9 May 2024. When questioned about a transcript in which he said “she was generally a liar”, Morgan defended his words by stating: “There’s definitely evidence to show Maddy omitted information to her family about my support for her.” He also said he had read “a lot of one-sided information” in the media after her death.
Morgan accepted that he had “struggled to manage” Cusack during their time at Leicester City, where she left midway through the season. He attributed her departure to a lack of playing time, noting: “It hadn’t worked from a footballing point of view.”
The inquest continues and is expected to conclude on Friday. Cusack’s medical records are unavailable, having been lost during a switch to a different system, according to Sheffield United’s former club doctor.
Key Takeaways
- Jonathan Morgan, Maddy Cusack’s former manager, called her a liar in an FA interview after her death.
- Morgan denied insulting Cusack and said he had been concerned for her wellbeing, claiming the “bottom-heavy” remark was about her leg muscles, not her weight.
- He insisted Cusack was injured when he first arrived at Sheffield United, and her omission from the starting lineup was not a power play.
- Cusack’s parents believe Morgan contributed to her mental health decline, and the inquest continues.
Quick Facts
Event: Inquest into the death of Maddy Cusack
Date of testimony: 6 July 2026
Key individuals: Jonathan Morgan (former Sheffield United manager), Maddy Cusack (player)
Key allegation: Morgan called Cusack “generally a liar” during an FA investigation
Source: The Guardian
