Former Liverpool star and Newcastle and England manager Kevin Keegan has died aged 75.
Here, BOYLE Sports looks back at some memorable moments from his career as a player and manager.
From the Iron to Anfield
From the Iron to Anfield
Doncaster-born Keegan started his career at Scunthorpe before being signed for Liverpool by Bill Shankly in 1971. During a trophy-laden spell at Anfield , Keegan struck up a formidable partnership with Welshman John Toshack as Shankly’s side went on to win the First Division title three times as well as the FA Cup , the UEFA Cup twice and the 1977 European Cup .
Bremner brawl
Bremner brawl
Having scored twice in the 1974 FA Cup final win over Newcastle at Wembley , Keegan was back under the Twin Towers three months later for the Charity Shield curtain-raiser to the new domestic campaign against Brian Clough’s Leeds . Keegan , earlier punched in the face by Johnny Giles , was dismissed following a brawl with Scottish midfielder Billy Bremner , both men taking off their shirts as they trudged from the pitch. The fracas resulted in each player being fined £500 and handed two-month bans by the Football Association.
Hamburg calling
Hamburg calling
Keegan left Liverpool after the 1977 European Cup win, taking on a fresh challenge in the Bundesliga with Hamburg . Bouncing back from being sent off in a friendly against Lubeck for punching an opposition player, Keegan went on to be crowned European Footballer of the Year twice in 1978 and 1979 – the only British player to have won the award, now called the Ballon d’Or , more than once. He helped Hamburg claim the domestic title for the first time in 19 years and reach the 1980 European Cup final, where they were beaten by Clough’s Nottingham Forest in Madrid .
England dream fades
England dream fades
Despite all Keegan’s club trophies, international success with England remained illusive as Don Revie’s squad failed to qualify for a major championship. When Keegan , by then lured back to play in England by Southampton boss Lawrie McMenemy , did finally make it to a World Cup in Spain in 1982, he was recovering from a serious back issue. Ron Greenwood’s men exited the tournament without losing a game and Keegan was later overlooked by new England boss Bobby Robson .
On the Toon
On the Toon
Keegan joined then second-tier Newcastle , his father’s club, in 1982. A hugely popular figure at St James’ Park , Keegan helped drive the club back into the top flight in 1984 after a six-year absence before retiring at the end of the season and moving to Spain .
‘I will love it’
‘I will love it’
Keegan returned to Newcastle in 1992, taking on his first manager’s job. His side were promoted as Division One champions in 1993 before finishing third in their first season in the top flight. In the 1995/96 campaign they had established a 12-point lead by January, but were eventually overhauled by Manchester United in the title race. The pressure finally got to Keegan during a live post-match interview, when he delivered his famous “I will love it we beat them” outburst.
The Impossible Job
The Impossible Job
Having left Newcastle in January 1997, Keegan was soon back in the game at Fulham , guiding them to the Second Division title before leaving to focus on his duties as England boss full-time, having succeeded Glenn Hoddle in February 1999. Although Keegan took England to Euro 2000, they failed to get out of the group. His tenure ended in resignation following defeat by Germany in the opening 2002 World Cup qualifier at a rain-soaked Wembley – the last match at the national stadium before it was rebuilt.
Back on the Toon
Back on the Toon
Keegan enjoyed more club success at Manchester City , guiding them to the Division One title in 2002. He made an unexpected return to Newcastle in January 2008 following the departure of Sam Allardyce . However, tensions grew with the board over the club’s structure under owner Mike Ashley and Keegan resigned in September, with fans protesting outside the ground against his departure.
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