Kevin Keegan, di former England captain and manager, and legend for Liverpool and Newcastle United, don die at age 75. Di family announce im death on Monday, saying im bin battle cancer and pass away surrounded by im wife and two daughters.
“E get immense sadness as we announce say Kevin Keegan don pass away at 75,” di statement read. “Di former England player and manager bin dey fight cancer and im wife and daughters dey with am for im final moments. Kevin, wey win Ballon d'Or two times, na beloved husband, father and grandfather. Di family thank im medical team for all di support. Dis na very difficult time, and dem dey ask for space and privacy.”
Keegan start im career for Scunthorpe United in 1968, wey im join from youth ranks. Im make over 100 appearances for Scunthorpe before Liverpool sign am for £35,000 in 1971. For Liverpool, im win three First Division titles, one FA Cup, one European Cup, and two UEFA Cups between 1971 and 1977.
Im move to Hamburg in 1977 for German record fee of £500,000, win two Bundesliga titles, and win di Ballon d’Or back-to-back in 1978 and 1979. Na only British player to win di award twice. After spells for Southampton and Newcastle as player, im retire for 1984.
As manager, Keegan first take Newcastle from second division to Premier League and finish second in 1996, di club highest ever finish. Im later manage Fulham, England national team, and Manchester City. Im return to Newcastle for second spell in 2008 but leave after few months due to disagreement with board.
Newcastle United pay tribute: “We dey devastated to hear of di passing of Kevin Keegan, one of di most iconic, influential and deeply loved figures for our club history. Kevin na more than legendary footballer and manager. Im na di beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.”
Liverpool FC also mourn: “Liverpool FC dey deeply saddened and dey mourn di passing of di legendary Kevin Keegan. Our ‘Mighty Mouse’, im legacy for Liverpool go forever dey etched for history.”
Alan Shearer, Newcastle record goalscorer, simply post: “My Hero. My Manager. My friend. Sleep easy Boss.”
Keegan earn 63 caps for England, score 21 goals, and captain di team 31 times. Im only World Cup appearance na 26 minutes for 1982 tournament as England lose to Spain. Im also manage England from 1999 to 2000, resign after defeat to Germany for old Wembley.
Di football world dey mourn di loss of one of im greatest sons. Kevin Keegan, wey start from Scunthorpe and become Ballon d’Or winner, go forever dey remembered for im passion, skill, and love for di game.
