Kevin Keegan honored by Newcastle and Liverpool ahead of season opener

Kevin Keegan Newcastle United Liverpool FC tribute Premier League

Kevin Keegan, the 75‑year‑old former England captain who enjoyed legendary spells as a player for Liverpool and as both player and manager for Newcastle United, died this week after a battle with stage‑four cancer.

Newcastle United and Liverpool are coordinating tributes for the Premier League opening match on 23 August 2026 at St James' Park. Both clubs will wear black armbands, and a minute’s silence will be observed before Newcastle’s pre‑season friendly. Keegan’s photo will be shown on the stadium screens in the seventh minute – a reference to his iconic shirt number – when the men’s side face Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg, and similar gestures are planned for the women’s team.

Keegan’s career included two titles with Liverpool, three league crowns, a European Cup, two UEFA Cups and an FA Cup, as well as leading Newcastle to promotion in 1992‑93 and a second‑place league finish in 1995‑96. His family confirmed he passed surrounded by his wife and daughters.

Sources

Liverpool's message to Hamburg after Kevin Keegan's death [www.liverpoolecho.co.uk]

9 days ago

Newcastle United release deadline for Kevin Keegan tributes outside SJP [nufcblog.co.uk]

9 days ago

Keegan: Legend, messiah, great human being [www.freemalaysiatoday.com]

10 days ago

Ceferin ricorda Keegan: "Altri hanno vinto di più, ma pochi hanno reso il calcio così vivo" [www.tuttomercatoweb.com]

9 days ago

29 photos of Kevin Keegan tributes at St James' Park in sea of black and white [www.chroniclelive.co.uk]

9 days ago

Newcastle & Liverpool plan Keegan tribute at season opener - MyJoyOnline [www.myjoyonline.com]

10 days ago