FORMER ENGLAND AND Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75.
A statement shared on behalf of his family said: “It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75.
“The former England player and manager had been battling 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 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.”
In June, Keegan shared that he had stage four cancer. It came six months after his family first announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer.
Alan Shearer paid tribute to “his hero and friend”. Keegan was Newcastle manager when the club paid a then world-record fee of £15 million to sign Shearer from Blackburn in 1996.
“My Hero. My manager. My friend. Sleep easy Boss,” Shearer wrote on X.
Former Newcastle striker Faustino Asprilla also paid tribute to the manager who brought him to England in 1996.
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“Kevin wasn’t just a football manager to me — he was the man who introduced me to the Premier League and made me fall in love with the beautiful city of Newcastle,” Asprilla wrote on Instagram. “Through his passion, belief, and love for the game, he inspired so many people, myself included.
…Today is a day I never wanted to see. I am absolutely heartbroken to hear of the passing of Kevin Keegan. Kevin wasn’t just a football manager to me—he was the man who introduced me to the Premier League and made me fall in love with the beautiful city of Newcastle… pic.twitter.com/sTc0Wvgqju
“He taught me that football is about much more than winning. It’s about passion, loyalty, hope, and never giving up. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life, and for that I will be grateful forever.
“Today, Newcastle has lost a true legend, and the football world has lost one of its greatest gentlemen. My heart is heavy, and I honestly can’t put into words how saddened I am by this news.”
A Newcastle FC statement read: “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.
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.
Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager. He was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.
“Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager. He was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.
“As a player, he brought world-class talent, ambition and belief to St. James’ Park, helping to transform perceptions of what Newcastle United could be.
“As a manager, he ignited our city. Kevin gave supporters hope and pride, and led a team whose style, spirit and passion captured the imagination of football fans around the world. He was so much more than an Entertainer.
“Above all that, Kevin forged an extraordinary bond with Newcastle, built on the roots of his father, Joe. He understood our people. He embraced the North East with a passion that was genuine and unwavering, and in return, he earned his rightful place in the hearts of millions.”
A Liverpool FC statement said the club was “deeply saddened and mourning the passing of the legendary Kevin Keegan.
“Our ‘Mighty Mouse’, his legacy at Liverpool will be forever etched in history.”
Keegan began his career with Scunthorpe and was signed by Liverpool in 1971, winning the First Division three times along with two Uefa Cups, the FA Cup and the 1977 European Cup.
He won the Ballon d’Or – then called the European Footballer of the Year – twice while at German side Hamburg, where he featured in another European Cup final, and played for Southampton and Newcastle before retiring in 1984.
On the international stage, he scored 21 goals in 63 England appearances and played at the 1982 World Cup finals.
As a manager, Keegan took charge of former club Newcastle in 1992 and led them into the Premier League, where they came close to winning the 1995-96 title but missed out to Manchester United.
He had a spell as Fulham boss before becoming England manager in 1999 but, after overseeing a disappointing Euro 2000 campaign, Keegan resigned following a World Cup qualifying defeat to Germany.
Keegan then took over at Manchester City before leaving in March 2005 and made a return to Newcastle in 2008, where he spent eight months as manager.
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Former England manager and Liverpool legend Kevin Keegan has died aged 75
LAST UPDATE | 7 hrs ago
FORMER ENGLAND AND Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75.
A statement shared on behalf of his family said: “It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75.
“The former England player and manager had been battling 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 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.”
In June, Keegan shared that he had stage four cancer. It came six months after his family first announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer.
Alan Shearer paid tribute to “his hero and friend”. Keegan was Newcastle manager when the club paid a then world-record fee of £15 million to sign Shearer from Blackburn in 1996.
“My Hero. My manager. My friend. Sleep easy Boss,” Shearer wrote on X.
Former Newcastle striker Faustino Asprilla also paid tribute to the manager who brought him to England in 1996.
“Kevin wasn’t just a football manager to me — he was the man who introduced me to the Premier League and made me fall in love with the beautiful city of Newcastle,” Asprilla wrote on Instagram. “Through his passion, belief, and love for the game, he inspired so many people, myself included.
“He taught me that football is about much more than winning. It’s about passion, loyalty, hope, and never giving up. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life, and for that I will be grateful forever.
“Today, Newcastle has lost a true legend, and the football world has lost one of its greatest gentlemen. My heart is heavy, and I honestly can’t put into words how saddened I am by this news.”
A Newcastle FC statement read: “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.
“Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager. He was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.
“As a player, he brought world-class talent, ambition and belief to St. James’ Park, helping to transform perceptions of what Newcastle United could be.
“As a manager, he ignited our city. Kevin gave supporters hope and pride, and led a team whose style, spirit and passion captured the imagination of football fans around the world. He was so much more than an Entertainer.
“Above all that, Kevin forged an extraordinary bond with Newcastle, built on the roots of his father, Joe. He understood our people. He embraced the North East with a passion that was genuine and unwavering, and in return, he earned his rightful place in the hearts of millions.”
A Liverpool FC statement said the club was “deeply saddened and mourning the passing of the legendary Kevin Keegan.
“Our ‘Mighty Mouse’, his legacy at Liverpool will be forever etched in history.”
Keegan began his career with Scunthorpe and was signed by Liverpool in 1971, winning the First Division three times along with two Uefa Cups, the FA Cup and the 1977 European Cup.
He won the Ballon d’Or – then called the European Footballer of the Year – twice while at German side Hamburg, where he featured in another European Cup final, and played for Southampton and Newcastle before retiring in 1984.
On the international stage, he scored 21 goals in 63 England appearances and played at the 1982 World Cup finals.
As a manager, Keegan took charge of former club Newcastle in 1992 and led them into the Premier League, where they came close to winning the 1995-96 title but missed out to Manchester United.
He had a spell as Fulham boss before becoming England manager in 1999 but, after overseeing a disappointing Euro 2000 campaign, Keegan resigned following a World Cup qualifying defeat to Germany.
Keegan then took over at Manchester City before leaving in March 2005 and made a return to Newcastle in 2008, where he spent eight months as manager.
Written by Jane Moore and posted on TheJournal.ie
Updated at 21.05pm to include social media tributes.
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Kevin Keegan RIP