Kevin Keegan, former England captain and manager, dies at 75
Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Kevin Keegan, who starred for Liverpool, Hamburg and Newcastle before managing England, died on July 20, 2026 after battling cancer.
Kevin Keegan, the former England captain and manager who won the Ballon d’Or twice during a distinguished playing career, died on Monday, July 20, 2026. He was 75.
Keegan’s family said he had been battling cancer and was with his wife and daughters in his final moments. His diagnosis had been made public in January 2026.
The forward won 63 caps for England between 1972 and 1982, scoring 21 goals, and captained the national team 31 times. He later managed England from February 1999 until October 2000. The Football Association said England will honour his life before their UEFA Nations League match against Spain at Wembley in September.
At club level, Keegan helped Liverpool win three English league championships, the 1977 European Cup, two UEFA Cups and the FA Cup. After moving to Hamburg, he won the Ballon d’Or in 1978 and 1979 and helped the German club win the Bundesliga.
Keegan also had a defining association with Newcastle United. He played for the club in the final years of his career and later returned as manager, leading Newcastle back to the top flight and mounting a Premier League title challenge in the 1990s. He subsequently managed Fulham and Manchester City.
Tributes came from across the game, including former clubs, the English FA, UEFA and the English Football League. The announcements marked the death of one of the most prominent English football figures of his generation, both as a player and as a manager.
Sources: Sky Sports, “Kevin Keegan dies aged 75,” updated July 20, 2026: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13563799/kevin-keegan-dies-aged-75-former-england-forward-and-manager-passes-away-after-battle-with-cancer. Corroborated by The Football Association (July 20, 2026), UEFA (July 20, 2026), Liverpool FC and Associated Press.