Two-time Golden Ball winner Kevin Keegan, former England national team player, has died at the age of 76. The family confirmed he passed away after battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments.
He had been diagnosed with stage IV cancer in January of this year. During his playing career, Keegan made nearly 750 club appearances. As a striker for Liverpool, he won the English First Division championship four times.
His most notable individual achievement was earning two consecutive Golden Ball awards in 1978 and 1979 during his time with Hamburg. In coaching, Keegan is best known for his leadership at Newcastle United, where he saved the team from relegation to the second division in February 1992 and led them to the Premier League.
During the 1995/96 season, Newcastle United finished 12 points ahead of second place but ultimately lost the title to Manchester United. This period is remembered for his emotional interview after a match against Leeds, in which he spoke about Manchester United’s head coach, Alex Ferguson.
