Maddy Cusack's coach her 'nemesis', mum tells inquest
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Image source, PA MediaByGeorge Torrat Chesterfield Coroner's CourtPublished2 July 2026, 16:36 BSTUpdated 2 hours agoFormer Sheffield United footballer Maddy Cusack would still be alive if the coach of the women's team - described in court as her "nemesis" - had not been employed, her mother has told an inquest.
Maddy, 27, was found unconscious by her father David at their family home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on 20 September 2023 and died the same day. Chesterfield Coroner's Court heard Cusack's family had complained about the team's head coach, Jonathan Morgan - who joined the club in February 2023 - outlining issues allegedly stemming from her relationship with him. Mother Deborah Cusack said Morgan made comments about her daughter's weight and relationship to "cut her down to size" and be "in control".
Under cross-examination by Morgan, who is representing himself in the inquest, Deborah said: "You need to understand I'm not blaming you for what she did, but you made her feel how she felt. "It's the little knocks every now and again. You had to come in and cut her down to size.
"She was one of the best-known players [at Sheffield United]. Like you did at Leicester [City], you needed to be in control. "There's a direct line - if you hadn't been employed, Maddy would be here today." The court previously heard Maddy's life had been made "unpleasant" by coach Morgan while she played for Leicester City, and was "so happy to leave" in 2019 to join Sheffield United.
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