Kevin Keegan, a Footballing Icon, Passes Away at 75
Kevin Keegan, a former England footballer and manager, and a legendary figure at both Liverpool and Newcastle United, has passed away at the age of 75. The news of his passing was announced by his family, who confirmed that Keegan had been battling cancer.
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Keegan’s family released a statement, saying, ‘It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75.’ They added, ‘The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments.’
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Keegan, a double Ballon D’or winner, was a much-loved husband, father, and grandfather. He had an illustrious career, winning three First Division titles, one FA Cup, one European Cup, and two Uefa Cups, as well as two Bundesliga titles between 1968 and 1984.
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Newcastle United led the tributes, saying, ‘We are devastated to learn of the passing of Kevin Keegan, one of the most iconic, influential, and deeply loved figures in our club’s history.’ Liverpool FC also paid tribute, saying, ‘We are deeply saddened and mourning the passing of the legendary Kevin Keegan.’
A Career Spanning Decades
Keegan’s career was marked by his pace and ability with the ball, and he formed a formidable ‘little and large’ strike partnership with John Toshack. He was at the heart of Liverpool’s prosperous side in the 1970s under Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.
As a manager, Keegan took Newcastle from the second tier into the Premier League and to their best-ever second finish, earning the nickname ‘King Kev.’ He signed some of the club’s most iconic players, including Alan Shearer. Newcastle’s record goalscorer, Shearer, simply posted, ‘My Hero. My manager. My friend. Sleep easy Boss.’
Keegan’s time at Liverpool was marked by his heroics, trophies, and memorable goals. One moment stood out: his sending off in the 1974 Charity Shield match for a fight with Leeds’ Billy Bremner became the first-ever red card in the fixture and one of Wembley’s most iconic moments.
Keegan joined Hamburg in 1977 for a then-German transfer record of £500,000 and went on to win two Bundesliga titles before coming back to England and playing for Southampton, then Newcastle. During his playing career, Keegan played against a 19-year-old Diego Maradona, with whom he exchanged shirts at the end of a match, and a 38-year-old Pele. He tangled with the likes of Johan Cruyff, George Best, and Michel Platini, and won the Ballon d’Or in 1978 and 1979.
A Managerial Career Marked by Success and Controversy
Keegan’s managerial career was marked by success and controversy. He took charge at Newcastle, where he not only saved the club from slipping further down the football pyramid but into the Premier League for the 1993-94 campaign the following year. In 1996, the club finished second, their still-highest ever Premier League finish, and Keegan would make a key signing before his departure the following year, of Alan Shearer from Blackburn.
After a short break, Keegan took charge at Fulham, but he was appointed England manager in February 1999. He memorably resigned after defeat at the hands of Germany in the last match played at the old Wembley, resigning five minutes after the match after just 20 months in charge.
Keegan’s tenure as England manager was in the latter stages of his career, and he went on to manage Manchester City before declaring his retirement from the sport in 2005. However, one club tempted him back into the fold, and he returned to St James’ Park in January 2008, but he publicly split from the board and left in September of the same year, and Keegan’s public spat with Mike Ashley proved an irreparable difference.
