Football icon Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75 after a brief illness, his family announced on July 20, 2026. Keegan was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer in January.
His family stated, "It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75. The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments." They also noted that he was a "much loved husband, father and grandfather."
Keegan enjoyed a distinguished career as a player, representing clubs such as Scunthorpe, Liverpool, Hamburg, and Southampton. He also earned 63 caps for England, scoring 21 goals between 1972 and 1982, and later managed the national team from 1999 to 2000.
Figures from the football world quickly paid tribute. Former player Alan Shearer described Keegan as his "Hero. My manager. My friend. Sleep easy Boss." Jamie Carragher hailed him as "one of the greatest players this country has ever produced, trophies & goals galore, double Ballon d'Or winner shows he was an absolute giant of the English game."
His former clubs also shared messages. Newcastle United, where Keegan was a celebrated player and manager, called him "one of the most iconic, influential and deeply loved figures in our club’s history." Liverpool stated, "His indomitable spirit and remarkable contribution will be forever etched in our history and his legacy will live on."
Keegan's managerial career also included spells at Fulham, whom he led to the Second Division title in 1999, and Manchester City, in addition to his time managing England.
Former Newcastle owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi remembered Keegan as a player who "defined an era" and at Newcastle, turned "belief into something you could feel in the stadium."