Ever formidable and keen to check new horizons, Keegan introduced halfway via the 1976-77 season that he would go away Liverpool on the finish of the marketing campaign.
It introduced some criticism from supporters, however was one other instance of deception by no means being a part of Keegan’s character, permitting Liverpool time to line up Kenny Dalglish as his alternative.
He went out on the best excessive in his remaining sport, operating the good German defender Berti Vogts ragged as Liverpool received the European Cup for the primary time, beating Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 in Rome.
Keegan left having scored 100 targets in 323 appearances.
There was discuss of a transfer to Actual Madrid, however ultimately his vacation spot was Hamburg, the place he was a significant success as they received the Bundesliga in 1978-79, although disappointment adopted once they misplaced the European Cup remaining to Nottingham Forest the next season.
Keegan confirmed his world-class credentials at Hamburg, successful the Ballon d’Or in 1978 and 1979.
Hamburg was a shock alternative when Keegan left Liverpool, however after early struggles to win over team-mates, he grew to become vastly well-liked, not simply along with his membership however within the nation, the place they appreciated the Englishman’s all the way down to earth strategy and his willingness to combine.
All of it added to Keegan’s standing as a world celebrity, one of the crucial marketable sportsmen round, not simply seen on the pitch however in adverts and promoting hoardings worldwide.
He famously did an advert for Brut aftershave with British boxer Henry Cooper, in addition to the “Inexperienced Cross Code” street security marketing campaign.
Whereas in West Germany, Keegan had one other crack at music with the monitor Head Over Heels In Love. It peaked at quantity 31 within the UK, however climbed to quantity 10 within the German charts.
Keegan returned to England in 1980 with a shock transfer to Southampton, exhibiting his enduring high quality by successful the Skilled Footballers’ Affiliation participant of the yr award in 1982.
He didn’t win trophies at The Dell, however was nonetheless a participant of the best class in Lawrie McMenemy’s crew, constructed round skilled stars comparable to Keegan, Alan Ball and Saints’ nice Mike Channon.
