The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to “truly remarkable footballer and manager” Kevin Keegan following his death aged 75.
Keegan, a star of Liverpool in the 1970s who went on to become adored on Tyneside as player and manager at Newcastle, had been undergoing treatment for stage four cancer.
In a personally signed message on social media, William, the former president of the Football Association (FA) and now its patron, said: “Incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Kevin Keegan.
“A truly remarkable footballer and manager who inspired generations with his talent, passion and love of the game.
“Above all, he will be remembered as a kind and generous man.
“Our thoughts are with his family and all who knew him.”
Also paying tribute on Monday, former prime minister Tony Blair said: “Kevin Keegan was an extraordinary talent as a player – huge skill combined with an outstanding commitment. And a great coach. But most of all, on and off the pitch, he had a fantastic spirit.
“Kevin inspired everyone he met, including me. He was just a thoroughly decent man with a strong sense of values and a belief, not only in the game of football, but also in Britain as a nation.
“From the first time I met him in the Newcastle changing room before a match in the 1990s, to the time he took me in hand as the leader of the opposition to teach me how to head the ball, to the social occasions later in life he was the same: an effervescent, never-give- up, irrepressible proud patriot of Britain.
“My deepest condolence to Jean and all his family.”
A statement from Keegan’s family read: “It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75.
“Kevin had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments.
“A double Ballon d’Or winner, Kevin was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather.”
Born in Doncaster, Keegan started his career at Scunthorpe before being signed for Liverpool by Bill Shankly in 1971.
While at Anfield, Keegan struck up a formidable partnership with Welshman John Toshack, going on to win the First Division title three times as well as the FA Cup, the UEFA Cup twice and the 1977 European Cup.
Following that success, Keegan joined West German side Hamburg and was twice named European Footballer of the Year. He is the only British player to have won the award, which is now called the Ballon d’Or, more than once.
Keegan returned to England with Southampton in the summer of 1980 before moving to Second Division Newcastle, helping the club win promotion back to the top flight – only to then retire.
He won 63 England caps, scoring 21 goals, playing at the 1982 World Cup and was also later captain of the national team.
In 1992, Keegan made his first step into management at Newcastle, leading them into the Premier League and to within touching distance of the 1995-96 title, but they missed out to Manchester United.
The North East club paid tribute to Keegan in a statement issued on Monday afternoon, describing him as “the beating heart of Newcastle for generations of supporters”.
Newcastle fans gathered outside St James’ Park on Monday to pay tribute to the hero who brought joy to the terraces as a player and a swashbuckling manager.
Malcolm Shiels, 65, from Kenton, Newcastle, clutched a framed photo of him meeting Keegan in the early 1980s.
After leaving a scarf outside the ground, Mr Shiels said: “He gave me the best years of my life supporting Newcastle.”
Mr Shiels said Keegan’s playing contract was sponsored by Newcastle breweries which meant the superstar was obliged to attend events at working men’s clubs in the North East.
He added: “After every one, he stayed until two or three in the morning, the queue was around the block and every single person got an autograph and a photograph with him.”
After leaving St James’ Park in January 1997, a brief stint at Fulham followed before he became England manager in 1999 following Glenn Hoddle’s departure.
After overseeing a disappointing Euro 2000 campaign, Keegan resigned on the back of defeat by Germany at Wembley, the last match at the national stadium before it was rebuilt.
A spell at Manchester City followed and then an emotional return to Newcastle in 2008, but he only lasted eight months at St James’ Park following tensions with the board and owner Mike Ashley.
The Football Association, posting on the official England X account, said it was “incredibly saddened” by the news.
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