Jonathan Morgan sacked by Sheffield United Women as new information emerges
Sheffield United Women have confirmed the departure of head coach Jonathan Morgan - the manager at the centre of the FA's Maddy Cusack inquiry.
A club statement on Friday read: "Sheffield United can confirm that Head Coach of Sheffield United Women's team, Jonathan Morgan, has departed the Club.
"Due to new information that has come to light within the last few days with regards to Mr Morgan's conduct before arriving at Bramall Lane, the Club has reached the conclusion that Mr Morgan's position is no longer tenable and his employment with the Club has been terminated.
"Luke Turner has agreed to take the role of interim Head Coach for the foreseeable future, including Sunday's Women's Championship fixture at Durham Women."
Morgan has also been sacked by his agency, Tongue Tied Management, after new information regarding a relationship with a player under his charge' A statement said: "The termination of this contract is a critical measure in preserving the integrity of our agency."
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Morgan's role at Sheffield United was recently called into question by the family of Maddy Cusack, a defender at the club who was found dead at her parents' home in September last year.
In a letter to the club, Cusack's parents, David and Deborah, complained Morgan allegedly contributed to their daughter's deteriorating mental health before her death. Morgan vehemently denies the claims.
An investigation commissioned by Sheffield United into Cusack's death concluded in December that there were "no suspicious circumstances" for her passing. But the FA has since launched its own investigation and continues to gather evidence.
Maddy Cusack playing for Sheffield United (Stephen Flynn/SPP/REX/Shutterstock)The letter from Cusack's family, first published by The Athletic, also had complaints including allegations Cusack opted to leave previous club Leicester as she felt Morgan, who was also her manager there, disliked her.
Cusack reportedly alleged Morgan called her a "psycho" during a match for Sheffield United against his former club Burnley - a claim he denies. His subsequent appointment at Sheffield United is claimed to have made her 'anxious'.
Morgan has also been accused of dropping Cusack from the team while complaining she was overweight - claims he denies and claims he had asked her to improve her conditioning while also providing a training programme as Cusack was behind the fitness levels of her team-mates, according to tests carried out by the Club.
He is alleged to have informed other players in the team of his history with Cusack - again claims he denies. Cusack was made vice-captain by Morgan and was also working as a marketing executive for the club alongside playing. Her family claim the pressure and anxiety, which stemmed from her relationship with Morgan led her to become unwell and move back into the family home after being prescribed medication. She was found dead at their home in Derbyshire on September aged 27
Sheffield United players paid tribute to Maddy Cusack in September (PA)According to The Athletic, Sheffield United's chief executive wrote to Cusack's family acknowledging that Morgan's conduct had "divided opinion" among those who were interviewed as part of the club's investigation, but insisted that none of those questioned had "heard or witnessed any bullying or inappropriate behaviour".
The Athletic also reported that Morgan is the subject of two previous complaints, unrelated to Cusack, including one involving another Sheffield United player. The other complaint is from Morgan's time at Leicester, which is said to relate to alleged bullying and the exclusion of a player, who left the club after agreeing on financial compensation. The case was handled by Morgan's sister Jade, who was Leicester's general manager at the time. Morgan denies any wrongdoing in both cases.
An inquest into Cusack's death was opened by Derby Coroner's Court in October and has been adjourned as a coroner awaits further details about the cause of her death.
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