Kevin Keegan was one of the greatest players in British football history, but after the very sad news of his death aged 75, the sport will never be the same.
Kevin Keegan dies at 75 (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
After such a memorable campaign at the England World Cup, the news about Kevin Keegan feels particularly sad.
King Kev will go down as one of England’s greatest ever players and his international career was one to remember as both a player and a manager.
Keegan is a two-time Ballon d’Or winner and has been a pioneer since joining Hamburg, enjoying huge success with Liverpool and Newcastle. He was a true Rovers player who gave his all on the pitch and became well known thanks to his starring role on the 1970s TV show Superstars.
He was a golden icon on Backpage because of his immense ability, his personality and his lack of opinions, which is another reason why we loved him apart from his football abilities.
There was an oft-forgotten feud with the late Sir Bobby Robson, which prematurely ended his England career and led to him quitting as a Newcastle player at the age of 33.
Keegan resigned as England manager in a Wembley toilet in October 2000 after the defeat to Germany, admitting that he lacked the qualifications needed to manage his beloved country. It hurt him a lot, and realistically speaking, it hurt him because he played 63 times and scored 21 goals for England in an international career that lasted 10 years from 1972 to 1982.
Keegan deserved a better platform than England gave him. Keegan missed the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, when he was one of the best players in the world.
By 1982, Keegan was in his 30s, but played in the World Cup despite suffering from a back injury. He secretly drove from Spain to Germany to receive treatment from a trusted specialist. Chasing the match, England needed a result against Spain, so they brought on Keegan and Trevor Brooking to look for a late winner. Keegan missed a header, but little did he know at the time that it would signal the end of the match.
Keegan represented England more than 60 times (Image: Peter Robinson/EMPICS Sport/PA Wire)
Keegan was removed from Robson’s role as manager after he was appointed, but he was furious when he heard about it on the radio and learned that Arthur Cox, then Newcastle manager, was taking over the role. When Keegan heard the news, he yelled, “I’m done with England. I’ll never kick a ball for my country again.” And his retirement from England duty hastened the end of his playing career.
It’s a shame we didn’t get to see Keegan at his peak on the biggest stage. Because he deserved it. England will always be a source of regret.
Let’s not forget here that there was a huge public clamor for him to become England manager after his fantastic spell at Newcastle and his phenomenal form at Fulham. His shortcomings, the revisionism that he was a motivator but limited in his ability as a tactician, therefore need to be placed in context. We all wanted King Kev because we loved him.
Keegan’s relationship with the press was tested, particularly regarding England. He hated criticism. I remember meeting him for an interview during that ill-fated reign, which quickly turned into an interrogation. He’s asking me questions, not the other way around.
Keegan managed England for almost two years (Image: PA)
He became angry, bitter, and angry at the criticism. What did I think? Was that fair? Is it too much? If you say the wrong thing, you won’t get the interview. Basically he was a good guy so it went ahead. But he really cared and was very sensitive.
I remember meeting him many years later in Doha. We were watching some football. He was still wary. He’s tired of forcing too many things on us. But we started talking about football – and he forgot what I did.
He was helpless. If someone shared his passion and love for the game, he would just get hooked and lose himself again. we continued talking.
Such was the case with Keegan. His love for soccer was pure. He was one of the most passionate people I’ve ever met. And that combination made him King Kev.
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