Former England captain and manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75, his family has confirmed. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing BBC News.
Keegan revealed he had stage four cancer in June, the most advanced stage where the disease has spread to other parts of the body.
One of English football's most decorated players, Keegan played for Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle. He later managed Newcastle, Fulham, England and Manchester City.
A statement on behalf of the Keegan family said he was "surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments. Kevin, a double Ballon d'Or winner, was a much loved husband, father and grandfather."
Newcastle United paid tribute, describing Keegan as "one of the most iconic, influential and deeply loved figures in our club's history. Kevin's impact will not be measured by appearances or results. It will live on in the memories he created with club and country, the dreams he inspired wherever he went, and the generations of supporters around the world who fell in love with football because of him."
Liverpool, for whom Keegan played between 1971 and 1977, said Keegan's "indomitable spirit and remarkable contribution will be forever etched in our history." Hamburg said football had lost one of its "defining figures," while Fulham said Keegan "forged a strong connection" with fans.
England and Manchester City both offered condolences, with City describing him as "one of the most iconic and fondly remembered figures in English football."
The Three Lions will celebrate Keegan's life when they host Spain in a Uefa Nations League match at Wembley on 26 September.
As a player, Keegan won three league titles, the European Cup, two Uefa Cups and the FA Cup with Liverpool. He helped Hamburg win the Bundesliga and won back-to-back Ballons d'Or in 1978 and 1979. He remains one of only four English players to have won the award.
On the international stage, Keegan scored 21 goals in 63 games for England between 1972 and 1982, and managed them from February 1999 until October 2000.
Keegan is one of the most transformational figures in Newcastle's history, masterminding 'The Entertainers' who challenged for the Premier League title in 1996. Current head coach Eddie Howe even reached out to Keegan when he got the Newcastle job in 2021 to get the inside track on the club.
Keegan guided Newcastle to promotion to the Premier League in 1992-93 before leading them to second place in 1995-96. He led England to Euro 2000 before resigning in October after a World Cup qualifying defeat by Germany at Wembley. Keegan managed City from 2001 to 2005, then returned to Newcastle for an eight-month spell in 2008.