European football mourns Kevin Keegan

A footballing superstar of the 1970s and beyond, Keegan made his name as a player with Liverpool and Hamburg, and is regarded as one of the finest players in the game’s history, winning a host of accolades and personal honours.

"Kevin Keegan was truly one of a kind, and our generation was privileged to grow up with this unique phenomenon," said UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin. "While others may have won more, very few made football feel more alive. My thoughts are with Kevin's family and loved ones, and all those who mourn the loss of one of the game's most cherished figures."

Keegan began his career at fourth-division Scunthorpe United, catching the eye of Liverpool's legendary manager Bill Shankly before joining the Reds in the summer of 1971. The young forward soon became an idol for Liverpool fans thanks to his busy, hard-running style that was complemented by a keen eye for goal.

Over a four-year spell, the Anfield club collected three English domestic titles (1973, 1976 and 1977), the English FA Cup (1974 – Keegan netting twice in the final), the European Cup (1977) and two UEFA Cups (1973, 1976 – Keegan scoring in both legs of the final against Club Brugge).

Keegan with the European Cup in 1977Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Keegan moved to Germany with Hamburger SV in the summer of 1977, and after a hesitant start, helped the club to a long-awaited Bundesliga title in 1979. Nicknamed ‘Mighty Mouse’ by the club’s fans, he became an iconic figure in the city, and his outstanding form brought him two successive European Footballer of the Year (Ballon d'Or) awards in 1978 and 1979.

A superb run to the European Champion Clubs’ Cup final the following year culminated in disappointment for Keegan as HSV suffered a single-goal defeat against Nottingham Forest in Madrid.

Keegan returned to England and enjoyed two prolific years with Southampton in 1980, before moving north to Newcastle United, where he would become a hugely popular figure, helping the ‘Magpies’ secure promotion to the top flight in 1984 before he announced his retirement after a playing career that had yielded 204 goals in 592 matches.

On the international stage, Keegan scored 21 times in 63 England appearances, captaining his nation on 31 occasions.

Keegan celebrates scoring for England against Scotland at WembleyGetty Images

He moved into management with Newcastle in 1992, guiding the Magpies to promotion in his first full season, where they would earn plaudits for their attacking style and would go on to challenge for the Premier League title. Keegan departed in early 1997, going on to take charge of Fulham before England came calling in February 1999.

Keegan's time in charge of the Three Lions bore similar frustration to his playing days, as England failed to progress from the group stage at UEFA EURO 2000, and he resigned from the role following a 1-0 loss to Germany in FIFA World Cup qualifying later that year.

He would go on to enjoy four years at Manchester City before a brief second spell with Newcastle, where he remained immensely popular with supporters.