Former England Footballer Kevin Keegan Passes Away at 75
Kevin Keegan, the former England footballer and manager who became a legendary figure at both Liverpool and Newcastle United, has died at the age of 75.
In January, Keegan’s family announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer and would begin treatment. In June, he revealed he was battling stage four cancer and expressed his desire to attend a match at Newcastle’s St James’ Park to bid farewell.
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A statement released by the Keegan family on Monday confirmed his passing, which occurred seven weeks after he disclosed his stage four diagnosis, while surrounded by his wife and two daughters.
Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75 following a battle with cancer (Getty)
“It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75,” the statement said.
“The former England player and manager had been combating cancer and 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. The family expresses gratitude for Kevin’s incredible medical team for their support.
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“This is a hugely difficult time, and they request space and privacy.”
Keegan is best remembered for his achievements as a manager at Newcastle and for his playing days at Liverpool. His successful career included three First Division titles, one FA Cup, one European Cup, and two UEFA Cups, as well as two Bundesliga titles between 1968 and 1984.
Newcastle led the tributes, stating: “We are devastated to learn of Kevin Keegan’s passing, one of the most iconic, influential, and dearly loved figures in our club’s history. Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager; he was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.”
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary Kevin Keegan and mourn his loss,” Liverpool said. “His indomitable spirit and remarkable contribution will be forever etched in our history and his legacy will live on.”
Keegan is one of English football’s greatest ever players (Getty)
Keegan was at the heart of the start of Liverpool’s dominant era (Getty)
Keegan’s strengths as a forward were rooted in his speed and ball skills. He was central to Liverpool’s successful side in the 1970s under mentors Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, establishing a formidable strike partnership with John Toshack.
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As a manager, Keegan led Newcastle from the second tier to the Premier League, achieving their best-ever finish of second place with the team known as the “Entertainers.” He earned the nickname ‘King Kev’ and signed several of the club’s celebrated players, including Alan Shearer, who honored him by saying: “My Hero. My manager. My friend. Sleep easy Boss.”
Keegan is perhaps best remembered for his iconic “I will love it” speech in 1996, where he publicly challenged Sir Alex Ferguson’s remarks, although Manchester United ultimately emerged victorious, winning the league title.
Born in 1951 in Armthorpe, Doncaster, Keegan grew up in a family of miners. He often shared stories of using his brother’s pram as a goalpost. Although his father was a Newcastle supporter, Keegan developed an early affinity for local side Doncaster Rovers.
Keegan’s journey in football was less conventional than most, beginning at Scunthorpe in 1968 as an apprentice after being spotted in local leagues. He debuted against Peterborough at age 17, making 29 league starts in his first season.
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In his autobiography, Keegan recalled how low wages prompted him to seek summer jobs. However, in 1971, he caught the attention of Liverpool’s chief scout, Geoff Twentyman, and was signed by Bill Shankly for a fee of £35,000 after scoring 18 goals in 124 appearances for Scunthorpe.
Shankly nurtured Keegan’s talent, famously telling him within just three days of training that he would play for England, which occurred the following year when he debuted against Wales.
During his time at Liverpool, Keegan helped the club achieve numerous successes, including three league titles, two UEFA Cups, one FA Cup, and one European Cup in his final season, all under Shankly’s successor, Bob Paisley.
Keegan was signed by legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly (PA)
“Liverpool made me, not just as a footballer but as a person,” Keegan reflected in 2011. “The people I met – Shanks, Tommy Smith, Ian Callaghan, Ron Yeats – have all influenced me. The fans made me; when they started singing my name… I felt like I was six foot six.”
His time at Liverpool was characterized by both triumphs and memorable moments, including a historic sending-off in the 1974 Charity Shield match, marking the first-ever red card in that fixture.
Billy Bremner and Keegan removed their shirts in protest at the red card in the Charity Shield match, in one of Wembley’s most iconic moments (Getty)
In 1977, Keegan made a record transfer to Hamburg for £500,000 and won two Bundesliga titles before returning to England, where he played for Southampton and then Newcastle. Hamburg remarked: “With Kevin Keegan, world football loses one of its most defining personalities. We will always cherish an honorable memory of our former champion and two-time Ballon d’Or winner.”
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Throughout his career, Keegan faced legendary players like Diego Maradona and Pele and competed with the likes of Johan Cruyff and George Best. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1978 and 1979, a feat achieved by only four Englishmen and the only one to do so twice.
His England career was hampered by injuries and the team’s struggles to qualify for tournaments, allowing him to earn 63 caps, scoring 21 goals and captaining 31 times until his retirement following the 1982 World Cup. He played just 26 minutes in that World Cup, limited by a back injury that kept him out of the group stages.
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Keegan exchanges shirts with a teenage Diego Maradona after an International friendly match between England and Argentina on May 13, 1980 (Getty)
Though Keegan played only two seasons for Newcastle, he built a strong rapport with supporters, which led to his eventual appointment as manager nearly eight years later.
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During his management, Keegan rejuvenated Newcastle, leading them from the brink of relegation to the Premier League for the 1993-94 season.
He achieved the club’s highest-ever finish of second in 1996, making significant signing decisions including bringing back Newcastle-born Shearer, who would later become the club’s record goalscorer.
Kevin Keegan brought Alan Shearer back to Newcastle, who went on to become the club’s record goalscorer (PA)
Keegan was loved as a manager at Newcastle and was known as ‘King Kev’ (Getty)
Keegan’s battle with Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United is one of the great Premier League title races (PA)
Keegan taught Newcastle how to dream. “Kevin was one of the few who connected, especially with Newcastle fans; he had, in abundance, passion and gave everything,” stated former striker Micky Quinn. “He came close to winning a Premier League. He loved the fans; a working-class connection that very few ever achieve.”
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After a brief hiatus, Keegan managed Fulham before being appointed England manager in February 1999. He resigned after a match against Germany, just five minutes post-defeat at the old Wembley, concluding 20 months in charge.
Keegan led England to Euro 2000 but resigned following a World Cup qualifying defeat against Germany (Getty)
Keegan’s time as England manager came towards the latter part of his career. He also managed Manchester City before announcing his retirement from football in 2005.
Nevertheless, one club lured him back, and he returned to St James’ Park in January 2008. However, a public disagreement with Mike Ashley led to his departure in September that same year.
In the years following, Keegan stepped back from public life, spending quality time with his wife, Jean, and their two daughters, Laura and Sarah.