Jonathan Morgan: Football coach accused of bullying player who took own life sacked by Sheffield United Women

A football coach accused of bullying a player who later took her own life has been sacked by his club.

Sheffield United Women said “new information has come to light” about Jonathan Morgan’s conduct before he joined the club, adding that his position “is no longer tenable”.

His former representatives, who have also severed ties with him, claimed they had “learnt new information regarding Jonathan Morgan and a relationship with a player under his charge”.

A statement from Tongue Tied Management read: “We will no longer be working with him in any capacity and the termination of our relationship is with immediate effect.

“The termination of this contract is a critical measure in preserving the integrity of our agency.

“We are absolute in our view that safeguarding standards and processes should apply to all athletes be they male or female. At Tongue Tied Management we are committed to maintaining an environment of respect, integrity, trust and accountability within the sports industry.”

Morgan managed Leicester’s women’s first team from 2014 to 2021 before moving to Burnley and was appointed by Sheffield United in February 2023.

His dismissal is not related to the FA investigation into the death of Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack, who took her own life at her home in Horsley, Derbyshire last year.

Police did not treat the 27-year-old’s death as suspicious with an inquest into her death opened and adjourned in October.

But Cusack’s family claim she was poorly treated by Morgan and that her spirit was “allowed to be broken”.

Cusack’s father said Morgan called the midfielder a “psycho” and branded her overweight, The Athletic previously reported.

David Cusack said in a letter that his daughter was crippled with anxiety and branded “difficult” by the coach.

She moved back in with her parents and was put on medication as her mental health worsened, which her family claimed Morgan’s alleged behaviour had contributed to.

Mr Cusack also alleged that had it not been for Morgan’s “personal antipathy” towards his daughter, she would still be alive.

Morgan was initially cleared of bullying or inappropriate behaviour by Sheffield United after an inquiry carried out by an external party.

He had stepped aside from his role as the club investigated but resumed his duties last month after he was cleared.

Morgan has denied the allegations.

Before her death, Cusack was named Sheffield United’s vice-captain and had just started her sixth season with the Blades in the Women’s Championship. She was the longest-serving member of the current squad.

Cusack joined the team in January 2019 and became the first woman to reach 100 appearances for the club. She had also worked in the club’s marketing department.

A social media page for the Maddy Cusack Foundation, launched by the footballer’s family, previously shared a speech attributed to Cusack’s mother, Deborah.

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In it, she said: “From February this year, the indomitable, irrepressible spirit, the spirit called Maddy, the spirit that I had so fearlessly protected was allowed to be broken. Taking her away from me.

“Those who knew Maddy well will be aware that she had no long-standing mental health issues or troubles. Not that there would be anything to be ashamed of if there were, but there were not. Those that didn’t know her need to know that.

“Maddy was a happy-go-lucky, carefree girl with everything to live for and by last Christmas could be described as being at her happiest. This all changed gradually from February this year.”

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.