![<p>Newcastle United Posts</p>
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A two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Keegan had an illustrious career, captaining England, lifting the European Cup with Liverpool and becoming one of only four Britons to win football’s most prestigious individual honour.
In addition to his achievements on the field, Keegan became a cultural icon in the 1970s. His signature permed hairstyle inspired footballers across Europe, and his celebrity status extended to television, music and advertising. He released the single “Head Over Heels in Love,” appeared in an aftershave commercial alongside heavyweight boxing superstar Henry Cooper, and made regular television appearances.
Keegan was also one of the first high-profile English footballers to emigrate, leaving Liverpool in 1977 to join German club Hamburg SV after winning the European Cup.
The Bundesliga club said: “For Hamburg fans he will first and foremost be a fan favorite, an outstanding player and one of the best footballers to wear the rhombus on his chest.”
His move to Germany was very successful. Keegan won the Ballon d’Or in 1978 and 1979 during his time at Hamburg, helping the club win the Bundesliga title in 1979 before reaching the 1980 European Cup final, where they were beaten by Nottingham Forest.
The German club added: “The former champion and two-time Ballon d’Or winner will always be missed by Hamburg SV.”
Keegan was born in Doncaster on 14 February 1951 and began his career at Scunthorpe before joining Liverpool in 1971. Under legendary manager Bill Shankly, he formed a prolific strike partnership with John Toshack as the Reds won the league and UEFA Cup double in 1973.
During his six years at Anfield, Keegan won three league titles, an FA Cup, two UEFA Cups and the club’s first European Cup in 1977. In the final against Monchengladbach, Keegan took a penalty kick from Phil Neal to help Liverpool win 3-1.
“His legacy at Liverpool will forever be etched in history,” the club said. “He was regarded as a hero wherever he went.”
After returning to England from Germany, Keegan joined Southampton and became the top scorer in the First Division with 30 goals in the 1981-82 season before moving to Newcastle United, a club he supported through his father.
His tireless work rate and infectious personality soon made him a fan favorite at St James’ Park before retiring in 1984. He briefly returned to the game the following year and made two guest appearances for Australian side Blacktown.
On the international stage, Keegan made 63 appearances for England, scoring 21 goals. He captained the national team at Euro 1980 and represented his country at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, his only appearance in football’s biggest tournament after England failed to qualify in 1974 and 1978.
Keegan later had an unforgettable coaching career from 1992 to 2008. His greatest achievement on the touchline came at Newcastle, where he guided the club from the Second Division to the brink of the Premier League title in 1995-96.
That game became famous for Newcastle’s attacking football, which earned them the nickname “The Entertainers”, and Keegan’s emotional outburst on TV was directly aimed at
Manchester United Head coach Alex Ferguson.
“You can tell him now that we’re still fighting for this title. He’s got to go to Middlesbrough and get something. I’ll tell you… to be honest… if we beat them I’d love it, love it,” Keegan said.
Although Newcastle United led the table by 12 points in February, they were still 4 points behind Ferguson’s Manchester United.
Keegan has also coached Fulham, England and Manchester City. His tenure as England manager lasted from 1999 to 2000, ending with a 1-0 defeat to Germany in a World Cup qualifying match at the old Wembley Stadium. He famously broke the news of his resignation to FA officials in an emotional conversation in a toilet cubicle.
He returned to Newcastle for a second spell in 2008 but resigned nine months later after a breakdown in his relationship with club owner Mike Ashley. He never returned to management, but continued to be involved in football through television punditry.
Keegan leaves an enduring legacy as one of England’s greatest footballers, a ground-breaking Ballon d’Or winner, an unforgettable manager and one of the most charismatic figures in the game.
