Deborah Cusack, the mother of former Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack, has testified at an inquest that her daughter might still be alive if head coach Jonathan Morgan had not been hired by the club. Maddy, aged 27, was discovered unresponsive at her home in Derbyshire on 20 September 2023 and passed away the same day.
During the inquest at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court, Deborah stated that Morgan’s leadership created a toxic environment, alleging he made derogatory comments about Maddy’s weight to assert dominance. Deborah described Morgan as her daughter’s “nemesis,” noting that Maddy felt history was repeating itself when he joined the Blades in 2023 following their previous time together at Leicester City. Maddy reportedly feared the club would prioritize the coach over her if she raised concerns.
The court heard that Maddy, who held both a playing contract and a role in the club’s marketing department, faced significant anxiety regarding her professional future. Her mother refuted suggestions by former captain Sophie Barker that Maddy’s distress was primarily linked to her partner leaving the club, labeling that claim as an opinion from someone with a strained relationship with her daughter. Deborah insisted that Maddy had no prior history of mental health struggles before these workplace issues arose.
Addressing Morgan directly during the inquest, Deborah emphasized the emotional impact of his management style, describing the players as feeling like they were in a “prison” under his supervision. While the inquest continues, it has highlighted Maddy’s deep passion for Sheffield United and the profound effect her negative experiences under Morgan’s tenure had on her well-being.
