England legend Kevin Keegan dies after cancer battle

England legend Kevin Keegan dies after cancer battle

Former England captain and manager Kevin Keegan OBE has died at the age of 75, seven weeks after he revealed he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer.

One of English football’s most decorated players, Keegan enjoyed spells at Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle during an illustrious playing career.

He later went on to manage Newcastle, Fulham, England and Manchester City.

Kevin earned 63 international caps and scored 21 goals between 1972 and 1982, before managing the #ThreeLions from 1999 to 2000.

Keegan revealed he had stage four cancer in June, which is the most advanced stage of cancer and means the disease has spread to other parts of the body.

A statement on behalf of the Keegan family said he was “surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments”.

“Kevin, a double Ballon d’Or winner, was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather,” it continued.

“The family would like to thank Kevin’s incredible medical team for all their support. This is a hugely difficult time, and they are requesting space and privacy.”

Newcastle United paid tribute, describing Keegan as “one of the most iconic, influential and deeply loved figures in our club’s history”.

The club statement added: “Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager. He was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.

“Kevin’s impact will not be measured by appearances or results. It will live on in the memories he created with club and country, the dreams he inspired wherever he went, and the generations of supporters around the world who fell in love with football because of him.”

Liverpool, for whom Keegan played between 1971 and 1977, said Keegan’s “indomitable spirit and remarkable contribution will be forever etched in our history, and his legacy will live on”.

Hamburg said football had lost one of its “defining figures” and they would always “cherish” his memory, while Fulham said Keegan “forged a strong connection” with the fans, who would “forever hold wonderful memories” of his short time at the club.

Keegan’s first club, Scunthorpe, described him as “one of the best players of his generation”, with an “inspirational demeanour” and “brilliant personality”.

England and Manchester City both offered their condolences to the Keegan family, with the latter describing him as “one of the most iconic and fondly remembered figures in English football”.

The Three Lions will celebrate Keegan’s life when they host Spain in a Uefa Nations League match at Wembley on 26 September.

As a player, Keegan won major honours with Liverpool, claiming three league titles, the European Cup, two Uefa Cups and the FA Cup over six years.

He helped Hamburg win the Bundesliga and won back-to-back Ballons d’Or in 1978 and 1979. He remains one of only four English players to have won the award to date.

On the international stage, Keegan scored 21 goals in 63 games for England between 1972 and 1982, and went on to manage them from February 1999 until October 2000.

Keegan is one of the most transformational figures in Newcastle’s history – the mastermind behind ‘The Entertainers’, who challenged for the Premier League title in 1996.

Such is his status, current head coach Eddie Howe even reached out to Keegan when he got the Newcastle job in 2021 to try and get the inside track on the club and the mindset he needed to succeed.

Keegan guided the club to promotion to the Premier League in 1992-93 before leading them to second place in 1995-96.

He led England to Euro 2000 before resigning in October following a World Cup qualifying defeat by Germany at Wembley.

Keegan managed City from 2001 to 2005, then returned to Newcastle for eight months in 2008.