Sir Kenny Dalglish has confirmed he is undergoing treatment for cancer, after the 75-year-old Liverpool legend inadvertently revealed his diagnosis in a social media post that was swiftly deleted.
Dalglish issued a statement following the accidental disclosure, explaining that while he had hoped to keep the matter private, his “useless technology skills” had forced his hand. He added that the treatment is going well, drawing a humorous comparison to his mobile phone use. It has been suggested that the post contained a photograph of a hospital appointment letter, though this has not been independently verified.
“Obviously I did not mean to make this matter public so I would appreciate it if the privacy of my family and myself are respected,” Dalglish said. He also thanked medical staff for their “incredible care and discretion”.
A diagnosis shared by accident
The news emerged after the former player and manager accidentally posted online, quickly removing the material. Dalglish later clarified the situation in his own words. “As my inadvertent social media post has indicated, I am currently undergoing treatment for cancer. Unlike my mobile phone use, the treatment is going well.”
Dalglish, who was knighted in 2018 for services to football, charity and the city of Liverpool, has been married to his wife Marina since 1974. Marina Dalglish was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 and subsequently founded the Marina Dalglish Appeal in 2005. The charity has raised millions for cancer treatment equipment and healthcare facilities, including an oncology unit at Aintree University Hospital and a breast cancer support centre in Liverpool.
The couple have four children: Kelly, a sports broadcaster for Match of the Day; Paul, a former footballer and manager; Lynsey; and Lauren. Kelly appeared alongside her father last week in a farewell documentary for Liverpool and Scotland left-back Andy Robertson, where Dalglish was in good spirits, displaying his customary dry humour.
Despite his diagnosis, Dalglish has continued to attend sporting events. He was photographed at Royal Ascot, supported Scotland alongside Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes during a friendly against Ivory Coast, and was most recently seen at Anfield in May to present Mohamed Salah with a special frame after the forward’s final match for the club. In 2020, Dalglish was hospitalised with Covid-19 but developed no symptoms and was soon discharged.
A career without parallel
Dalglish is widely regarded as one of the greatest figures in British football, having achieved extraordinary success both as a player and a manager. His playing career began at Celtic, where he won four league titles before moving to Liverpool in 1977 as a direct replacement for Kevin Keegan. In his debut season on Merseyside, he scored 31 goals in 62 appearances, including the decisive goal in the European Cup final against Club Brugge at Wembley.
Over 21 years at Celtic and Liverpool, Dalglish scored 230 goals for the two clubs and a total of 375 for club and country. He earned a record 102 caps for Scotland, scoring 30 goals, a mark shared with Denis Law. He was named PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year in 1983, and received the Ballon d’Or Silver Award that same year. In 2006, Liverpool fans voted him top of the “100 Players Who Shook the Kop” poll, and Anfield’s Centenary Stand was renamed the Kenny Dalglish Stand in 2017. He is an inaugural inductee into both the English Football Hall of Fame and the Scottish Football Hall of Fame.
Dalglish won a total of 26 major honours as a player and manager, including 13 league titles and three European Cups. As a player at Liverpool, he added six league titles and three European Cups to his four Scottish league titles with Celtic.
His transition into management came in tragic circumstances. After the Heysel Stadium disaster in 1985, Liverpool manager Joe Fagan resigned, and Dalglish, aged just 34, became the club’s first-ever player-manager. In his first season, 1985–86, he led Liverpool to the league and FA Cup double, scoring the decisive goal against Chelsea to secure the title. He also steered the club through the Hillsborough disaster of 1989, in which 97 supporters died.
Liverpool were relentless under Dalglish, winning trophy after trophy. He later managed Blackburn Rovers, guiding them to their only Premier League title in 1995 with a squad featuring Alan Shearer. He then had spells at Newcastle United, leading them to the 1998 FA Cup final, and at Celtic, before returning to Liverpool as caretaker manager in January 2011 after Roy Hodgson was sacked. In his second season back, he won the League Cup in 2012, securing Liverpool’s first trophy in six years. His final role in management ended in May 2012, and he later took up an advisory position at the club in 2013.
Tributes from across football
Liverpool issued a statement saying: “The support, best wishes and love of everyone at Liverpool FC are, and will continue to be, with Sir Kenny and his family.” Blackburn Rovers wrote on social media: “Sending all our love and support to Sir Kenny Dalglish, who has confirmed he is undergoing cancer treatment.” Newcastle United added: “Everyone at Newcastle United extends love and best wishes to Sir Kenny Dalglish and his family following his cancer diagnosis.”
Fans also paid tribute online. One wrote: “Sad news about Sir Kenny Dalglish! Brilliant player for Celtic, Liverpool, and Scotland of course. Get well soon and take care!” Another said: “Awful news. Kevin Keegan yesterday, Kenny Dalglish today – simply awful. Wishing both all the very best.” A third commented: “Really hope and pray Kenny Dalglish beats cancer.”
The news comes just days after former England and Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan, also 75, revealed that his stomach cancer has reached stage four, though he said he is responding well to treatment.
