Kevin Keegan, one of the most famous English footballers of all time, has died. His family announced that the 75-year-old passed away. Earlier this year, Keegan had made his cancer diagnosis public, and in June it was deemed incurable. In his final hours, he was surrounded by his wife and daughters, a family statement said.
Liverpool to HSV – the rise to icon
Keegan’s big breakthrough as a player came in 1971 at Liverpool. With his aggressive playing style and relentless determination, the striker won the hearts of fans. In six years at Anfield, he won three English league titles, the FA Cup, and the 1977 Cup. In 1977, Keegan moved to Hamburg SV for £500,000 – the highest transfer fee a German club had ever paid at the time.
Twice European Footballer of the Year
In Hamburg, Keegan was voted European Footballer of the Year in 1978 and 1979. In the 1978/79 season, HSV won the German championship for the first time in 19 years. Later, Keegan worked as a manager. In 1996, he nearly led Newcastle United to the league title and coached England’s national team at Euro 2000. However, he never matched the brilliance of his playing career as a coach.
Mourning at former clubs and in the football world
Former club Newcastle United paid tribute to Keegan in an obituary: “Kevin was more than just a legendary footballer and manager. For generations of fans, he was the beating heart of Newcastle United.” Liverpool also expressed their grief for the club icon. The family thanked Keegan’s medical team and asked for respect for their privacy.
Source: www.zeit.de
