About this episode

The episode continues the exploration of Kevin Keegan's career, focusing on his time in Hamburg and his challenges as England captain.

Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper continue their Kevin Keegan series, following his 1977 move from Liverpool to Hamburg for a far higher salary and the difficult start marked by teammate resentment, managerial upheaval, a humiliating Super Cup loss at Anfield, and an eight-week ban after he struck a defender in a friendly at Lübeck. They chart his turnaround under Branko Zebec as Hamburg win the Bundesliga in 1978–79, Keegan becomes a German celebrity, learns the language, and wins the Ballon d’Or twice, before turning down Juventus and returning to England with an underwhelming Southampton spell and a breakdown with Lawrie McMenemy. The episode also covers Keegan’s burdened England captaincy amid missed World Cups, including a beating by Yugoslav police, threats in Belfast, Euro 1980, and injury-hit World Cup 1982, before his high-profile move to Second Division Newcastle, the lift he gives the city, and his retirement after a sobering FA Cup loss to Liverpool. 00:00 Keegan Cashes In 01:06 Hamburg Move Explained 01:39 The Bubble Perm Era 03:40 Frosty Dressing Room 06:36 Lübeck Punch Up 09:46 Backlash and Doubts 10:58 Turning Point Return 12:01 Zebec Sparks Revival 14:03 Pop Star in…

People in this episode

Host: Jonathan Wilson

Guest: Rob Draper

Topics covered

• Kevin Keegan
• Hamburg
• England captaincy
• Ballon d'Or
• Newcastle
• soccer history

Keywords

• Kevin Keegan
• Hamburg
• Ballon d'Or
• England captaincy
• soccer history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Liverpool, Hamburg, Juventus, Southampton, Newcastle, FA Cup

Places: England, Belfast, Poland, Yugoslavia

More episodes of It Was What It Was : The Football History Podcast

• Remembering Kevin Keegan: Part Three · September 8, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Remembering Kevin Keegan: Part One · August 25, 2026 · 60 min
• Total Football: Glory, Fracture and the 1974 World Cup | Part Four · August 18, 2026 · 52 min
• Total Football: Cruyff, Ajax and the Golden Years | Part Three · August 11, 2026 · 57 min
• Franco Baresi Tribute: Jamie Carragher on Milan's Maestro · August 6, 2026 · 18 min
• Total Football: Ideas, Architecture and the Feyenoord Breakthrough | Part Two · August 4, 2026 · 55 min

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