Newcastle United hero Lee Clark broke down in tears during an emotional tribute to his former manager Kevin Keegan, who died on Monday at the age of 75 after being diagnosed with stomach cancer in January. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Clark struggled to hold back tears as he described Keegan's profound impact on the club and the city.
Clark's Emotional Tribute
“Very tough last hour, to be honest, when the news broke. It’s a real tough day,” Clark told the BBC. “I was lucky enough to witness him revitalise, not just Newcastle United Football Club, but also the city on two separate occasions. Once as a player in the early 80s when I was just a youngster standing on the terraces and then to have him as my boss in the early 90s and he did that again as the manager, was just unbelievable.”
Clark, who played under Keegan during his first managerial spell at Newcastle from 1992 to 1997, described Keegan as a father figure who invested time in his players. “He was just a special man. A father figure to the players. We had complete trust in him. Just an absolutely heart-breaking day, to be honest,” he said. “Amazing to work with him every single day and him investing his time to make me better both as a player and a person. I’m just so proud.”
Personal Memories
Clark recalled personal gestures that showed Keegan's care beyond football. “When my first child was born, my son, him and his family bought gifts for my son. It was just little things like that, the way he made you feel as a person and a footballer. And that was everybody, every single player loved him.”
Keegan, a legendary player for Newcastle, Liverpool, and England, was born in Yorkshire but became a hero on Tyneside and Merseyside. His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the football world.
Tributes from Legends
Alan Shearer, another Newcastle legend, paid a simple but heartfelt tribute: “My Hero. My manager. My friend. Sleep easy Boss.” Newcastle United released a statement saying: “We are devastated to learn of the passing of Kevin Keegan, one of the most iconic, influential and deeply loved figures in our club’s history. Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager. He was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.”
Faustino Asprilla, a Newcastle cult hero, also shared his memories. “Today is a day I never wanted to see,” the Colombian wrote. “I am absolutely heartbroken to hear of the passing of Kevin Keegan. Kevin wasn’t just a football manager to me—he was the man who introduced me to the Premier League and made me fall in love with the beautiful city of Newcastle. Through his passion, belief, and love for the game, he inspired so many people, myself included. He taught me that football is about much more than winning. It’s about passion, loyalty, hope, and never giving up.”
Legacy of Kevin Keegan
Keegan's impact on Newcastle was immense. He revitalised the club as a player in the early 1980s and again as manager in the 1990s, leading them to Premier League title challenges. Clark summed up the feeling of many: “They always say that no one person is bigger than a football club, but if there was ever one person who was close to that with Newcastle United, it was Kevin Keegan.”
