England football legend Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75, his family has announced.
The former national team manager and two-time Ballon d’Or winner was diagnosed with cancer in January after being admitted to hospital with ongoing abdominal symptoms.
Keegan was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments, according to a statement released by his family.
The statement described him as a much-loved husband, father and grandfather and thanked his medical team for their support during his illness.
Keegan began his professional career at Scunthorpe United before joining Liverpool in 1971 under manager Bill Shankly.
He scored exactly 100 goals in 323 appearances for Liverpool and helped the club win three league titles, two UEFA Cups, the FA Cup and the European Cup.
He captained England 31 times during the 1970s and led the side at Euro 1980.
During a spell in Germany with Hamburger, Keegan was named European Footballer of the Year in consecutive years, securing two Ballon d’Or awards.
Keegan later joined Newcastle United as a player and became a club icon through his subsequent managerial career.
In his first season as Newcastle manager, he guided the club to promotion to the Premier League as First Division champions.
His attacking “Entertainers” side narrowly missed out on the league title in 1995-96 to Manchester United.
Keegan was appointed England manager at the end of the decade but resigned after less than two years following a World Cup qualifying defeat.
He also managed Manchester City, winning promotion in his first season, before a brief return to Newcastle that ended amid boardroom tensions.
Keegan was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002 and was named by Liverpool supporters as their eighth most important player of all time.
Newcastle United paid tribute following his death, calling him the beating heart of the club for generations of supporters.
The club credited Keegan with transforming ambitions at St James’ Park and inspiring pride through his managerial style and spirit.
