Newcastle and Liverpool are in discussions to jointly commemorate the life of Kevin Keegan when they meet for their opening Premier League fixture.
The Reds, where Keegan rose to prominence as a player, are due to play Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday, 23 August.
It was there he established himself as a folk hero, first on the pitch and then across two spells as manager.
Both Tyneside and Merseyside club have already paid tribute to the former England striker, whose death at 75 after a battle with cancer was announced on Monday.
The two clubs will now come together to do the same as the new campaign gets underway.
A statement on the Magpies’ official website read: “The opening Premier League match of 2026/27 sees Newcastle United hosting Liverpool – where Kevin made 323 appearances between 1971 and 1977.
“To ensure his memory is marked fittingly before the game, the club is in communication with Liverpool and will work closely with supporter groups, including its Fan Advisory Board, the Newcastle United Supporters Trust and Wor Flags, as well as the Premier League, to shape tributes.”
In the meantime, Newcastle’s men’s, women’s and Under-21 teams will wear black armbands in memory of Keegan throughout their pre-season campaigns.
A minute’s silence will be held before the first-team’s game at Gateshead on Saturday, while during their trip to Bristol City – the first club against whom the then-new Magpies boss took charge in February 1992 – Keegan’s image will be shown on the stadium’s screens in the seventh minute, a reference to the shirt number he wore during his distinguished career.
Similar tributes will take place during the Visit Malta Weekender in August, during which the men will face Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg and the women Inter Milan.
In addition, the club will consult Keegan’s family as they consider options for a permanent memorial.
The statement read: “The club will consult with Kevin’s family at the appropriate time before communicating further with supporters on any plans for a permanent tribute.”
Keegan’s death, which was announced on Monday, has prompted a tide of tributes to the former Scunthorpe, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle frontman from across the football community.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe laid down flowers outside St James’ Park, surrounded by a number of supporters who had congregated at the ground to pay tribute to Keegan.
Sir Alex Ferguson, the man famously on the other end of Keegan’s “I’d love it, absolutely love it, if we beat them” rant, revealed his huge respect for the former Magpies manager following his death at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer.
Speaking to Track Radio, Ferguson said: “I had the utmost respect for him. We had many duels when he was manager of Newcastle, but I have to say the job he did at Newcastle was fantastic.
“He re-energised that club and he brought that enthusiasm and fanaticism that great supporters can give. That’s the job he did.
“And he also brought three great players to the club – (David) Ginola, (Faustino) Asprilla, Philippe Albert – and added a bit of class to the team, and I must say the challenges we had with Newcastle at that time at United were huge.
“Kevin carried the love of the game on his sleeve, there’s no question about that, and that carried right on to the fans, to the players.
“That period at Newcastle was of emotion, it was excitement. They brought these great players to the club too and they added to it, and it gave Newcastle – I think – their best ever team.”
