One of English football’s most beloved figures, Kevin Keegan, has died at the age of 75 after battling stage four cancer.
His family confirmed the news, revealing he was “surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments” when he passed away.
Keegan had publicly disclosed his stage four cancer diagnosis in June, seven weeks before his death, with his family first revealing he was battling the disease in January.
A family statement described him as “a double Ballon d’Or winner” and “a much loved husband, father and grandfather,” asking for “space and privacy” during “a hugely difficult time.”
Keegan enjoyed an extraordinary playing career spanning Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle United, before going on to manage Newcastle, Fulham, England and Manchester City.
With Liverpool, he claimed three league titles, the European Cup, two Uefa Cups and the FA Cup across a six-year spell between 1971 and 1977.
He helped Hamburg win the Bundesliga and claimed back-to-back Ballons d’Or in 1978 and 1979, remaining one of only four English players ever to have won the award.
On the international stage, Keegan scored 21 goals in 63 appearances for England between 1972 and 1982, later managing the national side from February 1999 until October 2000.
At Newcastle, he masterminded the era of “The Entertainers,” guiding the club to promotion to the Premier League in 1992-93 before leading them to second place in 1995-96 and challenging for the title.
Newcastle United paid tribute, describing Keegan as “one of the most iconic, influential and deeply loved figures in our club’s history,” adding that “Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager.”
The club’s statement continued: “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 said Keegan’s “indomitable spirit and remarkable contribution will be forever etched in our history and his legacy will live on,” while Manchester City credited him with establishing them as a Premier League club.
England will celebrate Keegan’s life when they host Spain in a Uefa Nations League match at Wembley on 26 September.
Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, who played under Keegan at St James’ Park, was among the first to pay his respects, saying: “My hero. My manager. My friend. Sleep easy, Boss.”
Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher described Keegan as “one of the greatest players this country has ever produced,” adding: “One of the most important men in making LFC what it is today.”
Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson said: “He had time for everybody. He worked like stink to get himself even better and quicker. He was such a lovely man. It’s a very sad afternoon.”
BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter Ian Dennis reflected on his impact, saying: “He had such a magnetic character. He was mesmeric as a player and a person. Everything he did, he put his heart and soul in to everything.”
