Kevin Keegan, a former England captain and manager, has died at the age of 75. His family and former club, Newcastle United, confirmed the news, noting he had been undergoing cancer treatment. Keegan, known by nicknames such as ‘King Kev’ and ‘Mighty Mouse’, was a significant figure in English football during his generation.
Newcastle United released a statement expressing their devastation at the passing of one of the club’s most iconic and influential figures. The statement highlighted his impact as a player, bringing talent and ambition to St. James’ Park, and as a manager, igniting the city with a team that captivated football fans globally.
A distinguished playing career
Keegan began his professional career at Scunthorpe United before joining Liverpool in 1971. During his six seasons at Anfield, he made 323 appearances and scored 100 goals. His time with Liverpool was highly successful, securing three First Division titles, the FA Cup, two UEFA Cups, and the 1977 European Cup.
His partnership with John Toshack at Liverpool was particularly notable, often described as a ‘big man, little man’ combination. Keegan scored twice in Liverpool’s 3-0 victory against Newcastle in the 1974 FA Cup final. He was also instrumental in the 1972-73 UEFA Cup final, scoring twice in the first leg against Borussia Monchengladbach, contributing to a 3-2 aggregate win.
After leaving Liverpool, Keegan moved to Hamburg, where he continued to achieve success, winning the Bundesliga in 1978-79. He was recognised for his world-class talent by winning the Ballon d’Or in both 1978 and 1979, making him the only British player to receive the award twice. His time in Germany also saw him release a music track, ‘Head Over Heels In Love’, which reached number 10 in the German charts.
Keegan returned to England in 1980, joining Southampton, and later played for Newcastle United before retiring in 1984. He was awarded the Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year in 1982 while at Southampton.
International career and managerial roles
Keegan played for England between 1972 and 1982, scoring 21 goals and captaining the national side 31 times. His England playing career, however, was marked by the team’s failure to qualify for the 1974 and 1978 World Cups. He captained England at the 1980 European Championship, where they did not advance from the group stage, and at the 1982 World Cup in Spain, where he was hampered by a chronic back injury.
Following his playing career, Keegan transitioned into management, taking charge of Newcastle United in 1992. He successfully guided the club into the Premier League and developed an entertaining team that challenged for top honours. A notable moment from his managerial tenure at Newcastle was his passionate ‘I will love it if we beat them’ outburst during the 1995-96 title race, as his team competed with Manchester United.
After departing Newcastle in January 1997, he had a brief spell at Fulham before becoming England manager in 1999. He resigned after Euro 2000 following a defeat by Germany at Wembley Stadium. Keegan later managed Manchester City, leaving in March 2005, and made a return to Newcastle in 2008, though this second spell lasted only eight months. His family’s statement confirmed his passing at 75 years of age.
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Source: bbc.com
