By Our Reporter
England football legend Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer, his family announced on Monday.
In a statement, the family said Keegan passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife and daughters.
“Kevin had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments,” the statement read.
One of England’s greatest footballers, Keegan scored 21 goals in 63 appearances for the national team and captained the Three Lions at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain. He later managed England between 1999 and 2000, guiding the team to UEFA Euro 2000 before stepping down during the qualifying campaign for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Keegan enjoyed a glittering club career that began at Scunthorpe United before he rose to international prominence with Liverpool. During his time at Anfield, he won three English league titles, the FA Cup, two UEFA Cups and the 1977 European Cup.
He later joined German club Hamburg, where he helped the side win the Bundesliga title in 1979 and the European Cup in 1980. His outstanding performances earned him back-to-back Ballon d’Or awards in 1978 and 1979.
After returning to England, Keegan played for Southampton and Newcastle United before retiring in 1984. He briefly came out of retirement in 1985 to feature as a guest player for Australian side Blacktown City.
As a manager, Keegan enjoyed memorable success with Newcastle United, leading the club to promotion and later to a dramatic Premier League title challenge. He also managed Fulham, Manchester City and returned briefly for a second spell at Newcastle.
Tributes poured in from across the football world following news of his death.
The England national team said it would honour Keegan’s life when the Three Lions host Spain at Wembley Stadium in September.
Liverpool described him as a club legend whose legacy “will be forever etched in history,” while Newcastle United hailed him as “one of the most iconic, influential and deeply loved figures” in the club’s history, adding that he was “more than a legendary footballer and manager” but “the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.”