Kevin Keegan, who played for Liverpool and managed England and Newcastle United, has died, aged 75 and tributes are flooding in this afternoon (July 20) following the news.
In January 2026, it was announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer, which he later revealed was stage four.
One of England’s more successful players, he was born in Armthorpe, near Doncaster and started his career at Scunthorpe United in 1968 before being signed by Bill Shankly at Liverpool in 1971.
At Liverpool, he became a key player in the club’s remarkable era, where he won three First Division titles, two UEFA Cups, the FA Cup, and, during his final season, the club’s European Cup in 1977.
We are devastated to learn of the passing of Kevin Keegan. Kevin signed for the club in 1980 as the holder of the Ballon d’Or and brought great joy to fans at The Dell and across the football world. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/l0asyUnVC2
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 20, 2026
With 100 goals in 323 appearances, he made an indelible mark at Anfield.
He played in Germany before coming back to England and playing for Southampton.
Keegan also excelled in his international endeavours, accruing 63 caps and netting 21 goals for England.
He led his country as team captain 31 times, including during the 1980 European Championship and the 1982 World Cup, earning recognition as one of England’s leading footballers of the 1970s and early 1980s.
Post-retirement as a player, Keegan transitioned to a successful managerial career.
He first managed Newcastle United in 1992, transforming the club’s fortunes and guiding them to the First Division championship in 1993.
Keegan assembled an attacking side that finished runners-up in the Premier League in the 1995–96 season.
His charismatic interviews and attacking football style made him one of the game’s most recognisable managers.
Following his stint at Newcastle, Keegan took the helm at Fulham, leading the team to promotion, before taking on the role of England manager in 1999.
After ensuring the national team’s qualification for Euro 2000, Keegan resigned after a defeat to Germany in a World Cup qualifier in 2000.
Keegan managed Manchester City from 2001, guiding them to the Premier League as First Division champions and to European competition, before stepping down in 2005.
A post shared by Newcastle United (@nufc)
He again took charge at Newcastle in 2008, though his second spell lasted only eight months due to disagreements regarding the club’s ownership and transfer policy.
A Premier League arbitration panel later ruled in Keegan’s favour in a dispute over his departure.
Outside football, Keegan became a popular television pundit and is remembered as one of the most recognisable figures in sport, notable for his iconic 1970s hairstyle and a vibrant personality, mirroring his dynamic playing and managerial style.
Keegan was married to Jean Woodhouse, whom he met in 1970, and together they raised two daughters.
Tributes flood in for Kevin Keegan after news of his death
Tributes flooded in today following the news of Kevin’s death being made public.
Southampton FC posted a message on X: “We are devastated to learn of the passing of Kevin Keegan.
“Kevin signed for the club in 1980 as the holder of the Ballon d’Or and brought great joy to fans at The Dell and across the football world.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Lord Alan Sugar took to X to say: “Very sad news to hear about the passing of Kevin Keegan.
“I met him a few times when I was at Spurs R.I.P”.
Newcastle United shared a statement on Instagram, alongside a picture of Kevin playing for them: “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.”
Fans also rushed to share tributes with one saying: “RIP Kevin keegan”.
Another said: “Rest well Kevin Keegan”.
Someone said he was worthy of the title of “legend”, writing: “Terribly, terribly sad news about Kevin Keegan.
“The word legend gets used a lot when it shouldn’t but it’s absolutely necessary when talking about him. Such a shame”.
This person said: “The reason so many fell in love with the toon. A very sad day RIP Kevin Keegan aka king Kev.