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Former Liverpool and Newcastle hero Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75. It was revealed in January that Keegan had stage four stomach cancer in January and was receiving treatment, but sadly he lost his battle with the disease on Monday.
The England national team will pay tribute to the country’s former boss ahead of the Three Lions’ Nations League against Spain in September.
A legend of the game during his playing days
Kevin Keegan is a true legend of the game. During his playing days, he was considered to be one of the best of his generation. He made over 750 appearances in club football for Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg and Newcastle.
During his playing career, he won many accolades, including winning the English First Division three times with Liverpool. While with Hamburg in the Bundesliga, the forward won the prestigious Ballon d’Or on two occasions, in 1978 and 1979.
Keegan also represented his nation on 63 occasions from 1972 until 1982, scoring 21 goals.
A hero at Newcastle
While Keegan ended his playing days in England with Newcastle from 1982 until 1984, it was his first stint as the Magpies boss from 1992 until 1997 that helped cement a place in the hearts of the St. James Park faithful.
United were in a mess, as they had suffered relegation from the English top flight in 1989. When Keegan arrived as boss, the north east club was even in danger of suffering relegation to the third tier.
He not only saved the team from relegation, but helped the Magpies to earn promotion back to the English top flight.
When they got to the top flight, they certainly made an impact, not only challenging at the top of the table, but earning a reputation as a team that played entertaining football.
Keegan went on to manage Fulham, England and Manchester City, while having a short, unsuccessful stint back at Newcastle.
However, when it comes to his managerial career, it will always be his first stint with the Magpies that helped bring hope and inspiration to a club that was badly in need of both.