![<p>Newcastle United post</p>
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A two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Keegan enjoyed a brilliant playing career which saw him captain England, lift the European Cup with Liverpool and become one of only four Englishmen to win football’s most prestigious individual honour.
Beyond his achievements on the pitch, Keegan became a cultural icon during the 1970s. His trademark permanent hairstyle inspired footballers across Europe, while his celebrity status extended into television, music and advertising. He released the single “Head Over Heels in Love”, appeared in an aftershave advert alongside heavyweight boxing great Henry Cooper and appeared regularly on television shows.
Keegan was also one of the first English professional footballers to move abroad when he left Liverpool for German club Hamburger SV in 1977 after winning the European Cup.
“For the Hamburg fans he will remain above all a crowd favourite, an outstanding player, and one of the best footballers ever to wear the rhombus (crest) on his chest,” the Bundesliga club said.
His move to Germany was very successful. Keegan won the Ballon d’Or in 1978 and 1979 while at Hamburg, helping the club lift the Bundesliga title in 1979 before reaching the 1980 European Cup final, where they were beaten by Nottingham Forest.
“Hamburger SV will always cherish the memory of their former league-winning player and two-time Ballon d’Or winner,” the German club added.
Born in Doncaster on 14 February 1951, Keegan began his professional career with Scunthorpe before joining Liverpool in 1971. Under legendary manager Bill Shankly, he formed a prolific strike partnership with John Toshack, helping the Reds secure the league and UEFA Cup in 1973.
During his six-year stay at Anfield, Keegan won three league titles, an FA Cup, two UEFA Cups and the club’s first European Cup in 1977. In that final against Borussia Monchengladbach, he won the penalty which Phil Neal converted in Liverpool’s 3-1 victory.
“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, where he finished as the First Division’s top scorer with 30 goals in the 1981–82 season before moving to Newcastle United, the club he supported through his father.
His tireless work rate and infectious personality quickly made him a fan favorite at St James’ Park before he retired in 1984. He briefly returned to action the following year for two guest appearances with Australian side Blacktown.
On the international stage, Keegan scored 21 goals in 63 appearances for England. He captained the national team at Euro 1980 and represented his country at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, his only appearance at football’s biggest tournament after England failed to qualify for the 1974 and 1978 editions.
Keegan later had a memorable managerial career that lasted from 1992 to 2008. His greatest success on the line came at Newcastle, where he guided the club from the second division to the brink of the Premier League title in the 1995-96 season.
This campaign became famous for Newcastle’s attacking football, which earned them the nickname “The Entertainers”, and for Keegan’s emotional televised outburst directed at
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.
“You can tell him now, we’re still fighting for this title. And he’s going to go to Middlesbrough and get something. And I’ll tell you… honestly… I’ll love it if we beat them, love it,” said Keegan.
Despite leading the table by 12 points in February, Newcastle finished four points behind Ferguson’s Manchester United.
Keegan also managed Fulham, England and Manchester City. His spell as England manager lasted from 1999 to 2000 and ended after a 1-0 defeat to Germany in a World Cup qualifier at the old Wembley Stadium. Famosu informed Football Association officials of his resignation during an emotional conversation in a toilet cubicle.
He returned for a second spell at Newcastle in 2008, but resigned after nine months following a breakdown in his relationship with club owner Mike Ashley. He never returned to management, instead staying involved in football through television punditry.
Keegan leaves a lasting legacy as one of England’s greatest footballers, a pioneering Ballon d’Or winner, an unforgettable manager and one of sport’s most charismatic personalities.
