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The former two-time Ballon d'Or winner, Liverpool icon and former England manager, lost his battle with cancer at the age of 75.
Kevin Keegan, one of the greatest figures in the history of English football, has died at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy that goes beyond trophies and records.
His family announced in January that the former international footballer and former England national team coach had been diagnosed with stage four cancer and would undergo treatment.
" It is with deep sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75 ," the family said in a statement.
" The former England player and manager battled cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments. Kevin, a two-time Ballon d'Or winner, was a loving husband, father and grandfather. The family would like to thank the extraordinary medical team who supported him throughout this difficult period and ask for their privacy to be respected ."
Keegan was considered one of the best footballers of his generation. He made almost 750 appearances for club and country, won four Premier League titles with Liverpool and was named the world's best footballer in two consecutive years, in 1978 and 1979, while playing for Hamburg.
Seven years after retiring from playing football, he began his managerial career, taking charge of Newcastle United in February 1992, at a time when the team was in danger of relegation. Keegan managed to keep the team in the top flight and, in his first full season, promoted them to the Premier League.
In 1996, he led Newcastle very close to winning their first league title since 1927. The "Laraskas" were long-time favourites for the title and even built a 12-point lead over Manchester United.
However, the team's decline at the end of the season and the spectacular comeback of the team led by Sir Alex Ferguson meant that Newcastle ended the championship in second place, four points behind Manchester United.
The tension of that period culminated in Keegan's famous interview after the victory over Leeds United, when his phrase to Ferguson, "I'd love to beat them", remained one of the most memorable moments in the history of English football.
He then took over the England national team, which he had previously represented as a player, scoring 21 goals in 63 appearances. Keegan was England manager from February 1999 to October 2000, when he resigned just minutes after the 1–0 defeat to Germany in the final match at the old Wembley Stadium.
His tenure in charge of England was also marked by elimination in the group stage of Euro 2000, despite a victory over Germany, as losses to Portugal and Romania added to the pressure on him.
He later managed Manchester City, whom he led back to the Premier League in 2002 after winning the Division One title. He left the club in March 2005, initially announcing his retirement from football.
In 2008, Keegan returned for a second term at Newcastle United, but his stay lasted only eight months due to disagreements with the club's management and owner Mike Ashley.
Kevin Keegan leaves behind an extraordinary legacy as one of the most important footballers and coaches in the history of English football.
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