Former Newcastle and England manager Kevin Keegan has been diagnosed with cancer.
The 74-year-old man was recently admitted to hospital complaining of “ongoing abdominal symptoms,” but tests showed he had the disease and is currently undergoing treatment.
A statement from Keegan’s family said: “Kevin Keegan was recently admitted to hospital for further evaluation of his ongoing abdominal symptoms.
“These investigations revealed a cancer diagnosis and Kevin will undergo treatment.
“Kevin is grateful for the intervention and continued care of his medical team.
“The family requests privacy during this difficult time and will not be commenting further.”
Newcastle have released a family statement sending a message of support to Mr Keegan, who played and managed the Tyneside club.
The Premier League club issued a statement on social media: “King Kev. We are with you every step of the way. We wish you a full and speedy recovery.”
Keegan started his career at Scunthorpe and was signed by Bill Shankly for Liverpool in 1971, winning three First Division titles, as well as the FA Cup, two UEFA Cups and the 1977 European Cup.
Liverpool shared a message of support for the former player, saying: “Everyone at Liverpool Football Club and the Official Former Players Association Forever Reds sends our best wishes to Kevin, his family and friends.”
Keegan was twice named European Player of the Year while in Hamburg, Germany, and returned to England to play for Southampton and Newcastle before retiring in 1984.
He won 63 caps for England, scoring 21 goals, played in the 1982 World Cup, and later captained the national team.
Keegan took his first steps as a manager at his former club Newcastle in 1992, leading them to the Premier League and within reach of winning the title in 1995-96, but he missed out on Manchester United.
After leaving St James’ Park in January 1997, he had a short spell at Fulham before becoming England manager in 1999 following the departure of Glenn Hoddle.
Mr Keegan, who oversaw a disappointing Euro 2000 campaign, resigned after the defeat against Germany at Wembley Stadium, the last match at the national stadium before its reconstruction.
A spell at Manchester City followed, but Keegan left the club in March 2005, initially announcing his retirement from football.
Keegan made an emotional return to Newcastle in 2008, but his stay lasted only eight months due to tensions with the board and owner Mike Ashley.
