English football legend and two-time Ballon d’Or winner Kevin Keegan dies aged 75

Former England player and manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75.

Keegan had revealed earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer.

“It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75,” a statement from Keegan’s family read.

“The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments.

“Kevin, a double Ballon d’Or winner, was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather. The family would like to thank Kevin’s incredible medical team for all their support. This is a hugely difficult time and they are requesting space and privacy.”

Keegan enjoyed an outstanding playing career, which started at Scunthorpe United and included spells at Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle.

He twice won the Ballon d’Or, in 1978 and 1979, and was named the FWA Footballer of the Year in the 1975–76 campaign.

His spell at Liverpool brought three First Division titles, an FA Cup, and a European Cup, before moving to Hamburg where he won the Bundesliga.

After retiring from playing, he became manager of Newcastle United between 1992 and 1997, taking the club up from the second tier and recording back-to-back runners-up finishes in the Premier League.

He managed England during Euro 2000 and later had a four-year spell in charge of Manchester City, before returning to Newcastle for another brief spell.