Maddison 'Maddy' Cusack's tragic demise has left the football world reeling, and today her heartbroken father spoke out against the manager he blames for his daughter's downward spiral – Jonathan Morgan. The bombshell testimony came as an inquest into Maddy's death continued at Chesterfield Coroner's Court, where David Cusack laid bare the alleged toxic dynamics that drove his 27-year-old daughter to distress.
It all started when Maddy was dismayed by news of Morgan's impending arrival at Sheffield United in February 2023. Having previously played under him at Leicester City in 2018, she knew what to expect – a no-nonsense approach that bordered on bullying, her father claimed. David Cusack described his daughter as 'a talented young player who couldn't cope with the pressure' brought by Morgan's autocratic style. He reckons this was the main reason Maddy left Leicester City for Sheffield United in 2019.
But Morgan was having none of it, firing back at David Cusack during cross-examination that he was relying on 'hearsay'. The ex-manager disputed claims his protégée didn't feature in his first three matches in charge, instead attributing her absence to injury. He even dared to ask if David Cusack would have benched Maddy – a move that left the courtroom gasping.
Despite Morgan's defiant stance, the evidence against him mounts. A 'substantial number' of people submitted testimony to an FA investigation into his conduct, although the findings remain under wraps. It's now clear why Morgan was shown the door by Sheffield United in February 2024 – a decision that came hot on the heels of an internal probe concluding there was no evidence of wrongdoing.
For Maddy, who had just signed a new contract worth £18,000 per annum, life was becoming increasingly complicated. She juggled her playing career with a part-time role in Sheffield United's marketing department, leaving her father worried about the pressure she faced. Morgan, however, claimed he went above and beyond to support his star player – although David Cusack disputes this.
As the inquest continues, one thing is clear: Maddy Cusack was a shining light at Sheffield United, breaking records as the first player to reach 100 appearances for the women's team. Her untimely passing has left fans and teammates reeling – and her father determined to expose the truth behind his daughter's tragic decline.
Source: Chesterfield Coroner's Court