News Focus
- The 75-year-old former England captain reveals he has stage four cancer following hospital scans after a road accident
- Doctors are treating him with a new therapy that has a 33% success rate against the advanced illness
- Keegan received an emotional standing ovation during a rare public appearance at Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre
- The club has sent heartfelt support to their former player and manager, calling him a ‘cherished’ figure
- The ex-forward wishes to return to St James’ Park to say a proper farewell to the supporters
Former England national team captain and manager Kevin Keegan has announced that doctors have diagnosed him with stage four cancer. This is the most serious form of the illness, which means it has spread to other parts of his body.
His family first shared news of his health battle in January. This followed a hospital visit where the 75-year-old had checks for ongoing stomach problems. Recently, he made one of his first public outings since the diagnosis. He received a moving standing ovation when he appeared at a live show in Newcastle.
Speaking on stage at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House, the ex-Newcastle United striker explained how doctors found the disease. He said a road accident meant he needed surgery. During scans for this operation, medical staff discovered the cancer.
“They told me they had an excellent specialist to treat my condition,” Keegan explained. He went to meet this doctor and noted that the specialist supports Liverpool FC. This gave him confidence he would receive good care.
The doctor told Keegan about a new therapy with a 33% success rate. Keegan admitted he expected a higher figure like 80% or 90%. However, he confirmed he is still alive and fighting the disease.
As a player, Keegan featured for Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle United. He also managed Newcastle, Fulham, the England national side and Manchester City. He changed Newcastle’s history forever. He built the famous ‘Entertainers’ team that nearly won the Premier League title in 1996.
Current manager Eddie Howe contacted Keegan when he joined the club in 2021. He wanted advice about the club and how to succeed there. Howe recently faced a difficult season, with Newcastle finishing 12th in the Premier League table. Despite this, Keegan supports Howe fully. He called him the first manager to win a trophy for the club in living memory, referring to last season’s League Cup victory.
The club has invited Keegan to return to St James’ Park. He wants to say goodbye to fans properly. He feels he did not get a proper farewell after leaving the club in 2009. At that time, he won a legal case against former owner Mike Ashley.
However, he does not want a statue built outside the stadium. He joked that fans must wait until he dies for this. He said he does not dislike the current statues, but they are not important to him personally. He believes the fans’ warm welcome is his true memorial.
Newcastle United released a statement sending love and support to Keegan and his family. The club praised his unique place in their history and highlighted his passion and leadership. They confirmed he will always have a warm welcome at St James’ Park.