Former England captain and manager Kevin Keegan, 75, has revealed he has stage four cancer.
His family and former club Newcastle United announced in January that the 1978 and 1979 European Footballer of the Year had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment, without providing further details.
Stage four means the disease has spread to other parts of the body where it started.
“I was in a car accident and that forced me to have an operation,” Keegan told an audience at Newcastle’s Tyne Theater and Opera House this weekend in comments reported on Monday by the BBC and other media.
«While they were having the scan before the operation, they found out I had cancer. They said they had an absolute top doctor for fighting what you have, which is stage four cancer.»
«So I went to meet him. He’s a Liverpool supporter, so I knew I wasn’t going to run alone. He said, ‘Kevin, this new treatment has a huge success rate.’ I said, ‘What’s your success rate?’ He said: ‘33%’. I thought it would be 80%, 90%. 33%. At the moment I am still here.”
Keegan enjoyed a stellar playing career as a forward with trophy-laden spells at Liverpool and in Germany with Hamburg. As manager, he narrowly missed out on winning the Premier League title with Newcastle before leading England.
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Newcastle sent a message of support on social media.
“Kevin has a unique and cherished place in Newcastle United’s history and in the hearts of our supporters,” it said. “His passion, leadership and connection to the club and the city have shaped some of our most memorable moments.
«Everyone at the club is behind Kevin and sends him and his family strength and best wishes for the journey ahead. Kevin will always be warmly welcomed to St. James’ Park and we hope to see him again soon.»
Published on June 1, 2026
