Kevin Keegan, the former Liverpool and England football star, has died at the age of 75 after battling stage four cancer, his family announced on Monday.
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In a statement, Keegan’s family said the former player and manager passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife and daughters after undergoing cancer treatment earlier this year.
Keegan remains one of English football’s greatest figures. He began his professional career at Scunthorpe United before joining Liverpool, where he won three English top-flight league titles, the FA Cup in 1974 and the European Cup in 1977 during a memorable six-year spell at Anfield.
He moved to German club Hamburg in 1977 and guided the team to the Bundesliga title in 1979. He also helped Hamburg reach the European Cup final the following year.
Keegan earned 63 caps for England and scored 21 international goals. He won the Ballon d’Or in both 1978 and 1979, becoming one of Europe’s most celebrated footballers.
After returning to England, he played for Southampton and Newcastle United before retiring in 1984 following Newcastle’s promotion to the top division.
Newcastle United paid tribute to Keegan, describing him as one of the club’s most iconic and influential figures. The club said he transformed expectations as both a player and a manager, inspiring generations of supporters with his ambition and attacking style.
Southampton also expressed its condolences, remembering Keegan as a football legend who brought excitement and joy to fans after joining the club as the reigning Ballon d’Or winner.
Keegan began his managerial career with Newcastle United in 1992 and led the club back to the Premier League a year later. His entertaining side challenged Manchester United for the 1995-96 league title and became widely known as “The Entertainers.”
He later managed Fulham, England and Manchester City. His spell as England manager lasted from 1999 to 2000 before he resigned following a defeat to Germany at Wembley Stadium. He returned briefly for a second spell at Newcastle in 2008 before retiring from management.
In its statement, Keegan’s family thanked his medical team for their care and support and requested privacy during this difficult time.
