Football’s Kevin Keegan, ex-Liverpool and Newcastle boss, dies at 75

Kevin Keegan, the former Liverpool, Hamburg, Newcastle and England forward and manager, has died at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer, which he revealed in June 2026 had reached stage four. His family said he was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather, thanked his medical team and asked for privacy. Tributes poured in from across football, including Alan Shearer, who played under Keegan at Newcastle and England, and Newcastle United, who called him "the beating heart" of the club; floral tributes gathered outside St James' Park as fans paid their respects.

Signed by Bill Shankly for Liverpool in 1971 for £33,000 after starting out at Scunthorpe, Keegan became "King Kev" on the Kop, helping the club win three First Division titles, the FA Cup, two Uefa Cups and the 1977 European Cup. He went on to star for Hamburg, where he was twice named European Footballer of the Year, before later managerial spells including a memorable stint in charge of Newcastle. Prince William was among those paying tribute, praising him as "a truly remarkable footballer and manager" and "a kind and generous man".