Biography of Kevin Keegan: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!
Kevin Keegan is a former English football player and manager who played as a forward. He is considered one of the greatest and most prolific goalscorers in football history.
Keegan had an illustrious playing career spanning over 15 years during which he represented major clubs like Liverpool, Hamburg SV and Newcastle United. He also served as a manager for Newcastle United, Fulham and the England national team.
Some key facts about Kevin Keegan:
- Full Name: Joseph Kevin Keegan
- Date of Birth: 14 February 1951 (age 73 years)
- Place of Birth: Doncaster, England
- Playing Position: Forward
- Clubs Played For: Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg SV, Southampton, Newcastle United
- International Caps: 63 for England (21 goals)
- Managerial Career: Newcastle United, Fulham, England, Manchester City
What is Kevin Keegan’s net worth?
According to reports, Kevin Keegan’s net worth is estimated to be around £10 million as of 2024. The majority of his wealth has come from his playing and managerial career in football.
As a top footballer in the 1970s and 80s playing for major clubs like Liverpool and Hamburg SV, Keegan earned significant salaries and bonuses. He was one of the world’s highest paid players during his time. The commercial revenues from image rights and endorsements added to his income.
After retirement as a player, Keegan found success as a manager notably with Newcastle United and the England national team which also brought financial rewards. The income from media roles, speaking engagements and other business interests have contributed to his current net worth.
How old is Kevin Keegan?
Kevin Keegan was born on 14 February 1951 in Doncaster, England. As of 2024, he is 73 years old.
He began his professional football career as a teenager after joining Scunthorpe United in 1968 at the age of 17. Keegan spent 8 years at Liverpool from 1971 to 1977 during which he won multiple league titles and the European Cup. His most prolific goalscoring came at Hamburg SV between 1977 to 1980.
Keegan first retired as a player in 1982 at the age of 31 while at Newcastle United. However, he briefly came out of retirement in 1982-83 to play for Newcastle again before retiring for good in 1984 aged 33.
He subsequently embarked on a managerial career that saw him take charge of clubs like Newcastle United, Fulham and the England national team up until 2005.
What was Kevin Keegan’s football career
- Signed professional contract with Scunthorpe United in 1968 at age 17
- Made his professional debut against Peterborough United in 1969
- Scored 18 goals in 124 matches over four seasons for Scunthorpe
- Earned his first England U23 cap in 1970
Liverpool (1971–1977)
- Signed for Liverpool for £33,000 in 1971 aged 20
- Made his debut against Nottingham Forest in August 1971
- Won his first trophies – the League championship and UEFA Cup – in 1972–73 season
- Scored 100 goals in 323 matches during his time at Liverpool
- Won 3 League titles, 2 UEFA Cups, 1 FA Cup and 1 European Cup
Hamburg SV (1977–1980)
- Broke British transfer record with £500,000 move to Hamburg in 1977
- Bundesliga top scorer in his first season with Hamburg with 17 goals
- Won the European Footballer of the Year award twice in 1978 and 1979
- Scored 68 goals in 116 matches during his Hamburg career
Later Career
- Played for Southampton (1980–82) and Newcastle United (1982–84)
- Helped Newcastle earn promotion to the top flight in 1984 before retiring
- Came out of retirement briefly in 1982-83 season to play 11 matches for Newcastle
- Ended his playing career with exactly 100 goals in the English league
International Career
- Won 63 caps and scored 21 goals for England from 1972 to 1982
- Represented England at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain
- Captained England national team 15 times
What were some of Kevin Keegan’s major achievements and records as a player?
- Won the Ballon d’Or (European Footballer of the Year) in 1978 and 1979
- Twice awarded the German Footballer of the Year (1978, 1979)
- Division 1 Golden Boot winner in 1977-78 (Hamburg) and 1978–79 (Hamburg)
- Football League 100 Club inductee for scoring over 100 league goals
- Only post-war Englishman to win the European Cup as a foreign player (with Hamburg)
- Highest scoring English player in German Bundesliga history (68 goals)
- England’s youngest ever captain at the age of 22 years 63 days (1973)
What was Kevin Keegan’s managerial career?
- Appointed as Newcastle manager in 1992 and earned promotion to Premier League
- Led Newcastle to runner-up finishes in 1995-96 Premier League season
- Named Premier League Manager of the Season in 1993–94 and 1995-96
- Resigned as manager in January 1997 after reported disputes with club directors
Fulham (1997–1998)
- Became Fulham manager in February 1997 but could not prevent relegation
- Won Division 2 title in 1997-98 season to gain promotion
England National Team (1999–2000)
- Appointed as England manager in February 1999, succeeding Glenn Hoddle
- Led England to qualification for Euro 2000
- Resigned in October 2000 after a 1–0 defeat against Germany
Manchester City (2001–2005)
- Named Manchester City boss in May 2001 and spent four seasons in charge
- Earned promotion to Premier League in 2001-02 but suffered relegation in 2004-05
- Left Manchester City in March 2005 with the club 16th in Championship
Newcastle United (2008)
- Had a second stint as Newcastle manager in 2008 but left after only 8 months
- Could not prevent Newcastle’s relegation from the Premier League
What records did Kevin Keegan set as a manager?
- Youngest ever England manager at 48 years and 2 months when appointed in 1999
- First manager in English football to be relegated from the top flight with the same club twice (Newcastle United)
- Highest transfer fee paid by a Second Division club – £5.75 million for Marlon Harewood to West Ham United in 1998 while at Nottingham Forest
What family does Kevin Keegan have?
Kevin Keegan married his wife Jean in 1975. They have two daughters – Laura born in 1980 and Sarah born in 1982.
Both Sarah and Laura were born in Keegan’s time playing for Hamburg SV in Germany.
Not much is publicly known about Keegan’s family as they have kept a low profile over the years. Keegan has been protective of his family life throughout his high-profile football career.
His wife Jean has stayed out of the spotlight. His daughters have also maintained privacy despite their father’s fame.
In a rare interview, Keegan had said about fatherhood: “Once Laura and Sarah came along, my life changed. Your priorities become different.”
The Keegan family have lived together in different homes between England and Germany based on Kevin’s football career. They have been residing primarily in Newcastle since the 1990s.
What are some of Kevin Keegan’s notable relationships in football?
Keegan formed an incredibly successful strike partnership with Kenny Dalglish during their time together at Liverpool in the 1970s. Their understanding and link-up play made them one of Europe’s deadliest forward duos. Keegan has frequently acknowledged Dalglish’s role in his goalscoring exploits at Liverpool.
Sir Alex Ferguson
Keegan had an intense rivalry with Sir Alex Ferguson as managers of Newcastle United and Manchester United in the 1990s. Their famous on-field battles were epitomized by Keegan’s emotional “I’ll love it” rant during the 1995-96 title race won by Ferguson’s United. Their relationship was adversarial but Keegan has stated he has respect for Ferguson’s achievements.
Alan Shearer
Shearer was the focal point of Keegan’s Newcastle team in the 1990s. Keegan spent a record £15 million to sign Shearer in 1996 and built the team around the striker’s goalscoring ability. Although they had a falling out later, Keegan enjoyed a productive relationship with Shearer at Newcastle.
Johan Cruyff
Dutch legend Cruyff and Keegan were rivals in the 1970s during Keegan’s time in Germany with Hamburg SV and Cruyff’s spell with Barcelona. They had many great battles as Keegan’s Hamburg faced Cruyff-inspired Barcelona in the European Cup. There was mutual admiration between the two attacking superstars.
Conclusion
Kevin Keegan enjoyed an illustrious playing career and achieved great success as a manager as well.
He attained superstardom as a footballer in the 1970s and 80s as a prolific goalscorer for Liverpool, Hamburg SV and England. As a manager, he is best remembered for his successful spell leading Newcastle United during the 1990s.
Keegan earned admiration worldwide for his attacking style and goalscoring exploits as a player. He won numerous trophies including three English league titles, two UEFA Cups, the European Cup and back-to-back Ballon d’Or awards in 1978 and 1979.
Though his managerial career had ups and downs, Keegan achieved remarkable results at Newcastle taking them to the cusp of the Premier League title. He was voted Premier League Manager of the Season in two seasons during his first stint at Newcastle.
While controversial at times, Keegan always prioritized attractive, attacking football in his teams. He maintained tremendous passion throughout his career which endeared him to fans. Keegan was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002 recognizing his outstanding contribution as a player and manager.
At 73 years of age, the English football legend is happily retired from the game. Kevin Keegan’s remarkable playing career, trophy laden spell at Newcastle United and charismatic personality have ensured his place as one of the most beloved figures in English football history.
FAQs about Kevin Keegan
How many trophies did Kevin Keegan win as a player?
As a player, Kevin Keegan won a total of 11 major trophies during his club career. His honours list includes 3 English First Division titles, 1 European Cup, 2 UEFA Cups, 1 FA Cup and 4 other minor trophies.
Why did Kevin Keegan leave Newcastle United in the 1990s?
Keegan resigned as Newcastle manager in January 1997 after disputes with the club’s directors over transfer policies and control issues. Keegan felt he was not given full authority over transfers amidst speculations of player sales against his wishes.
What is the “I’ll love it” rant by Kevin Keegan?
It refers to an emotional outburst by Keegan directed at Alex Ferguson during the 1995-96 title race with Manchester United. After Ferguson suggested Newcastle may crumble under pressure, Keegan lashed out saying “I’ll love it if we beat them!” although United did go on to win the title.
Did Kevin Keegan play in the 1978 World Cup?
No, Keegan was dropped from the England squad for the 1978 FIFA World Cup which remained one of the major disappointments of his playing career. England manager Ron Greenwood surprisingly excluded Keegan who was the reigning European Footballer of the Year.
Why did Kevin Keegan resign as England manager?
Citing fatigue, Keegan resigned as England manager in October 2000 soon after a 1–0 loss against Germany in a World Cup qualifier. It was England’s fifth defeat since Euro 2000 prompting his decision to quit the national team job after only 18 months in charge.
