Kevin Keegan has confirmed the devastating news he has stage four cancer.
The Newcastle icon’s family revealed he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in January, but the latest revelation provides a sobering update on his condition.
According to the Office for National Statistics, around 20 per cent of people with stage four stomach cancer survive for one year or more after their diagnosis.
However, Cancer Research UK does not have any five-year survival statistics for stage four stomach cancer patients because most unfortunately do not live that long.
Keegan’s devastating health update
The 75-year-old provided the heartbreaking news about his cancer during an event at the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle.
“They said we have a top doctor with this new way of fighting what you have got. Which is stage four cancer,” Keegan said, per the Daily Mail.
“He was a Liverpool supporter so I went to meet him. I knew I wouldn’t be walking alone, if you know what I mean.”
Keegan, who enjoyed two stints in charge of Newcastle, added he hopes to return to St James’ Park next season for a proper farewell.
He took over the Magpies in 1992 and won promotion to the Premier League in his first full campaign before finishing second in the top flight during the 1995/96 season.
It marked Newcastle’s highest league position since 1927.
Keegan departed in 1997 but returned in 2008, although it proved to be an ill-fated stint as he departed after 22 games.
Keegan’s plan to say a proper goodbye
Given he left in unfortunate circumstances, Keegan is hopeful he can properly bid farewell to the Toon faithful at St James’ Park at some stage in the 2026/27 season.
“I want to say goodbye,” Keegan said.
“I didn’t get the chance when I left the club last time…”
Despite his standing with Magpies fans, Keegan added he does not want to join Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer and be immortalised into a statue outside St James’ Park while he is still around.
“You will have to wait until I die,” Keegan said.
“My statue is the way people receive me.”
Outside of management, which included spells with England, Fulham and Manchester City, Keegan enjoyed a dazzling playing career.
Keegan won nine trophies in six years with Liverpool, including the European Cup and three league titles.
The Doncaster native’s displays prompted German side Hamburg to part with £500,000 to sign him, with the fee marking a British record at the time.
At Hamburg, Keegan won the Bundesliga and even scooped up two Ballons d’Or.