Kevin Keegan died Monday at 75. The family announced it seven weeks after he revealed his cancer had moved to stage four. He’d been dealing with abdominal issues since last year, went in for tests in January, and got the diagnosis then. By the time the news hit public channels, fans across England already had a bad feeling.
This is a guy who won the Ballon d’Or twice. Back to back, 1978 and 1979, while playing for Hamburg. That’s not just rare. That’s absurd. He’s one of three Englishmen to ever win it, and he did it twice. The other two — Stanley Matthews and Michael Owen — combined for two. Keegan did it alone.
His Liverpool years were where the legend started. Six seasons, 323 appearances, 100 goals. Three First Division titles. The club’s first European Cup. Two UEFA Cups. An FA Cup. Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley both coached him, and he was the spark that made those teams go. Liverpool called him their ‘Mighty Mouse’ in their statement Monday. They said his legacy is forever etched in the club’s history. They meant it.
But the bond with Newcastle was something else entirely. He played for them late in his career, sure. But when he came back as manager in 1992, he saved them from relegation out of the second tier. Then he won the First Division title the next season. Then he took them to the Premier League and finished runner-up to Manchester United two years running. That Newcastle team played with a style that made neutrals fall in love with the sport. The club’s tribute Monday called him ‘the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.’ That’s not hyperbole. He was.
He managed England too, for 20 months after Glenn Hoddle got fired. Qualified for Euro 2000. Beat Germany at Wembley. Went out in the group stage anyway. He quit in October 2000. Sven-Goran Eriksson took over. Keegan later managed Manchester City for four years, got them promoted, kept them in the Premier League. Then he came back to Newcastle in 2005 for a second spell that lasted eight months. It was messy. But nobody remembers the messy part.
The tributes rolled in from everywhere Monday. Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester City, Fulham, Southampton, Hamburg. England’s official account posted. The family asked for privacy. They’ve had a hell of a year. Keegan was 75. He leaves behind Jean, his wife, and their kids and grandkids.
There will be a proper tribute at St. James’ Park at some point. The club said they’ll figure out what that looks like. For now, fans are laying flowers and scarves outside the stadium. It’s raining in Newcastle. Nobody seems to care.
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