A double Ballon d'Or legend departs: Kevin Keegan remembered in London

In a quiet living‑room in London, the Keegan family gathered as the news broke: Kevin Keegan, the former English striker and manager, has died at 75 after a long battle with a serious illness, ending the life of a two‑time Ballon d’Or winner.

Keegan claimed the Ballon d’Or in 1978 and again in 1979 while playing for German club HSV. He remains the only Englishman to have won the award twice; Michael Owen, Bobby Charlton and Stanley Matthews each secured it once.

He earned 63 caps for England, scoring 21 goals for the national side. His international record placed him among England’s prolific forwards of his era.

During the 1970s Keegan dazzled at Liverpool, helping the club capture three league titles, one European Cup and two UEFA Cups. His contributions cemented Liverpool’s dominance in both domestic and European competitions.

While at HSV, Keegan guided the team to the 1979 European Cup final, where they were defeated by Nottingham Forest. The final loss marked the closest the German side came to European glory during his tenure.

His managerial résumé includes lengthy spells at Newcastle United and Manchester City, where he steered both clubs to promotion into the Premier League. These achievements highlighted his ability to rebuild and motivate teams at the highest level.

Keegan also served as England’s national team manager at the European Championship in 2000, a tournament where the side failed to progress beyond the group stage. The early exit underscored the challenges he faced in international management.

“With great sadness we announce that Kevin Keegan has died at 75,” his family said today. “Kevin fought cancer for some time and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments.”