Newcastle, Liverpool and England legend Keegan dies

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Kevin Keegan, the former England captain and manager and one of English football’s most prominent figures, has died aged 75. His family confirmed the death on 20 July 2026, seven weeks after he publicly disclosed that he had stage four cancer. According to the family statement reported by the BBC, Keegan was with his wife and daughters at the end, and relatives asked for privacy while thanking his medical team.

Keegan’s playing career took him from Scunthorpe United to Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle United. He won three league titles, the European Cup, two Uefa Cups and the FA Cup with Liverpool, helped Hamburg win the Bundesliga, and received the Ballon d’Or in both 1978 and 1979. For England, he scored 21 times in 63 appearances between 1972 and 1982.

After retiring as a player, Keegan managed Newcastle, Fulham, England and Manchester City. At Newcastle, he led the club back to the Premier League in 1992-93 and later oversaw the attacking side remembered as “The Entertainers,” which finished second in 1995-96. He managed England from February 1999 to October 2000, including at Euro 2000.

Tributes came from clubs and figures across the game. Newcastle described him as one of the most influential and loved people in the club’s history, while Liverpool, Hamburg, Fulham, Scunthorpe, England and Manchester City also paid respects. BBC Sport said England plan to celebrate Keegan’s life at Wembley when they host Spain in a Uefa Nations League match on 26 September.