KING KEV’S FIGHT
England icon Kevin Keegan opens up on stage four cancer battle & reveals cheeky quip to doc over treatment
FOOTBALL icon Keegan revealed the cheeky quip he made to his doctor as he bravely opened up on his battle with stage four cancer.
King Kev, 75 – widely regarded as one of England’s greatest footballers – addressed his illness while speaking on stage in Newcastle last night.
At the beginning of the year, the former England boss was admitted to hospital after suffering with abdominal symptoms.
His family then confirmed the Liverpool icon had been diagnosed with cancer and would undergo treatment.
Yesterday’s appearance at the Tyne Theatre marked Keegan’s first public outing since confirming his diagnosis.
Speaking to host Peter Graves, he confirmed he will return to St. James’ Park for the first time since his last spell as manager in 2008.
He said he wants to say a proper “goodbye” to the club, having left under a cloud following a public fall out with former owner Mike Ashley.
Keegan told the audience: “I want to say goodbye. I didn’t get the chance when I left the club last time.”
The ex-Newcastle player and manager also described a meeting with a doctor where they discussed his treatment.
Keegan said: “They said we have a top doctor with this new way of fighting what you have got. Which is stage four cancer.
“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.”
Speaking about a cheeky quip he made, Keegan added: “I asked the consultant what his success rate was… He said, ‘About three out of 10’.
“I said to him if he was a striker and he only scored three times out of 10 I’d drop him. But so far, whatever he did to me, it’s working.”
On Saturday, Keegan spoke ahead of his appearance at the Tyne theatre.
In a short clip on X, Graves said: “I’m starting to get really excited because 48 hours from now the Tyne Theatre is going to be packed out.
“I’m going to be walking out with my hero and yours, the one and only Kevin Keegan.
“We’re having a last-minute meeting with the legend that’s here…”
King Kev is then seen sitting on a sofa, wearing a sharp light grey suit and black shirt.
As they greet each other, Graves says: “How ya doing, mate?”
And Keegan jokingly replies: “Still alive… thank you.”
In January, Kevin’s family and his beloved Newcastle United revealed the star’s cancer diagnosis.
A statement read: “Kevin Keegan was recently admitted to hospital for further evaluation of ongoing abdominal symptoms.
“These investigations have revealed a diagnosis of cancer, for which Kevin will undergo treatment.
“Kevin is grateful to the medical team for their intervention and ongoing care.
“During this difficult time, the family are requesting privacy, and will be making no further comment.”
Keegan won three First Division Championships, two UEFA Cups, one FA Cup and a European Cup in his playing career at Liverpool.
He also won the Ballon d’Or twice – the only Englishman ever to achieve this feat.
As a manager, he is famous for his “I would love it if we beat them” rant at Sir Alex Ferguson.
The infamous rant came as his Newcastle side threw away a 13-point lead and lost the Premier League title to Man Utd in 1996.
After quitting as Newcastle manager in 2008, the adopted Geordie vowed never to return to St James’ Park while Mike Ashley remained.
He spent two seasons on Tyneside as a player before almost landing the Magpies’ first league title since 1927 as manager in 1996.
He scored 49 goals in 85 appearances for the club and later took them from the brink of relegation to the third tier to the Prem in two seasons.
Keegan then took on managing England as the full-time replacement for Glenn Hoddle in 1999.
His teams included legendary players such as Alan Shearer as captain, David Beckham, Sol Campbell, Gary Neville and David Seaman.
But he resigned from the role in October 2000 after losing to Germany in their first 2002 World Cup qualifier.
Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/39273882/kevin-keegan-reveals-stage-four-cancer/
