Newcastle United and Liverpool to honor Kevin Keegan ahead of Premier League opener
Newcastle United and Liverpool are set to pay tribute to Kevin Keegan ahead of their Premier League season opener at St James’ Park on Sunday, August 23, reports BritPanorama.
The former footballer, who passed away this week at the age of 75, is regarded as an iconic figure at both clubs. Keegan enjoyed a trophy-laden six-year spell at Liverpool before becoming a beloved presence on Tyneside as both a player and manager.
Newcastle confirmed in a statement that it is working with Liverpool “to ensure his memory is marked fittingly before the game.” A family statement revealed that Keegan was “surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments.” In his honour, Newcastle’s men’s, women’s, and under-21 teams will wear black armbands throughout their pre-season schedule.
The Newcastle squad will observe a minute’s silence before their friendly match at Gateshead this Saturday. During upcoming fixtures at St James’ Park, Keegan’s image will be displayed on the stadium screens in the seventh minute, a nod to the iconic number seven shirt he wore during his playing career.
Tributes will also be featured in the men’s pre-season matches against Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg on August 15 and 16, respectively, and during the women’s team’s match against Inter Milan on August 16, with fans encouraged to join in a minute’s applause. The Premier League is involved in discussions regarding these tributes and further plans are in place to ensure Keegan’s legacy is honored appropriately, including seeking input from his family for a permanent memorial.
Keegan’s notable career began at Scunthorpe United, followed by a successful spell at Liverpool, where he won three league titles, the European Cup, two UEFA Cups, and the FA Cup. He later played for Hamburg, winning back-to-back Ballon d’Or trophies in Germany, before finishing his playing days at Southampton. Keegan returned to Newcastle as manager, leading the club to Premier League promotion in the 1992-93 season and achieving a remarkable second-place finish in 1995-96.
His influence on the game extended beyond his playing days; Keegan also managed Fulham, the England national team, and Manchester City. In January, his family announced he was undergoing treatment following a diagnosis of persistent abdominal symptoms, confirming in June that he had stage four cancer.
The planned tributes reflect how deeply Keegan touched the lives of fans and players alike, underscoring a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of sport — and how memories weave into the fabric of a community.”
