An inquest into the death of footballer Maddy Cusack has heard evidence from her father, who said she became "dismayed" when her former coach, Jonathan Morgan, joined Sheffield United.
Cusack, 27, was found dead at her home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on September 20, 2023.
Giving evidence, her father David Cusack told the hearing that his daughter had been happy after leaving Leicester City, where she had previously worked under Morgan.
He said she had found the environment at Sheffield United positive after joining the club in January 2019, playing for the women's team while also working part time in the club's marketing department.
According to David, that changed when Morgan became head coach of Sheffield United Women in February 2023.
He told the inquest his daughter was "dismayed by the possibility of him coming back into her life."
David said he had encouraged her to remain positive, telling her, "It may have changed. It's a fresh start for both of you."
The inquest also heard that in the months before her death, Cusack became less strict about her diet and appeared less motivated.
“She didn’t let herself go, or anything like that. She was demotivated or deflated,” David told the court.
Morgan, who is representing himself during the proceedings, asked David whether he was aware that Cusack had left Leicester City because of a hamstring injury that affected her playing opportunities.
David replied that he believed the lack of playing time was instead linked to what he described as a "clash of personalities."
The court also heard David's evidence that his daughter had been concerned about her contract during the summer of 2023 and was "fretting" about her future at the club.
He further told the inquest that signing a full-time playing contract with Sheffield United, something she had wanted, ultimately became "the worst thing that could have happened" before her d@@th.
The inquest is continuing.
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