The mother of former Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack has told an inquest that her daughter would still be alive if the women's team coach Jonathan Morgan had not been employed by the club. Ms Cusack, 27, was found unresponsive at her home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on 20 September 2023.
Chesterfield Coroner's Court heard that Mr Morgan made remarks about Ms Cusack's weight and relationship in an attempt to 'cut her down to size'. Deborah Cusack described Mr Morgan as a 'nemesis' to her daughter, and said teammates referred to him as a 'prison warden' in messages.
Mrs Cusack told the inquest: 'If you hadn't been employed, Maddy would be here today.' She said her daughter was 'absolutely devastated' when Mr Morgan joined the club due to her previous experience working with him at Leicester City, where she had a 'dreadful' time.
The inquest heard that Mr Morgan called Ms Cusack 'bottom heavy' after joining United, leading her to alter her eating habits and go on runs after training. Mrs Cusack said this 'undermined Madeleine and knocked her confidence'.
Former captain Sophie Barker told the inquest that the primary reason for Ms Cusack's deteriorating mental health was the move of her partner Grace Riglar to another club. However, Mrs Cusack described the relationship as a 'non-issue'.
The inquest continues.
