Sir Kenny Dalglish has revealed that he is undergoing treatment for cancer.
The Liverpool legend, 75, accidentally shared his condition in a now-deleted social media post before admitting that he would have preferred to keep his diagnosis private.
It is unclear how Dalglish accidentally revealed his unfortunate news. There has been a suggestion that he posted a photograph of a hospital appointment letter by mistake, which he quickly took down, but the Daily Mail has not seen this.
He then clarified: ‘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.
‘Ideally, this would have remained private because that’s the way it should be, but my useless technology skills have forced my hand.
‘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.
Sir Kenny Dalglish, pictured with daughter and broadcaster Kelly Cates. has confirmed that he is undergoing treatment for cancer
Dalglish pictured with his wife Marina at the Sports Personality of the Year awards in 2023
Dalglish was a phenomenal player, winning 35 trophies before adding 14 as a manager
‘As ever, thank you to the wonderful medical staff who have shown incredible care and discretion, not just for me but for many, many others. They are a credit to themselves.’
Dalglish has been married to his wife, Marina, since 1974 and they have four children, including the Match Of The Day presenter Kelly Cates, 50.
Their other children are Paul, 49, a former footballer and manager; Lynsey, 44; and Lauren, 38.
Paul wrote on Instagram: ‘My dad, my best mate, my hero. You are s*** on social media but you are the strongest man I know, you got this. I love you’.
Marina had breast cancer in 2003 and started a charity called the Marina Dalglish Appeal in 2005.
Dalglish and his wife Marina have been staunch campaigners for cancer charities in recent years, raising millions to support sufferers, notably via Marina’s foundation.
Despite his diagnosis, Dalglish has still managed to attend games and supported his beloved Scotland alongside Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes during their friendly against Ivory Coast at the Hill Dickinson stadium. He is also a big horse racing fan and attended Royal Ascot.
He appeared on television last week alongside daughter Kelly Cates to be part of Andy Robertson’s farewell documentary.
It has been a sad few days for Liverpool. On Sunday night, former player Kevin Keegan revealed that his stomach cancer has reached stage four.
Dalglish was last photographed in May as he celebrated Mohamed Salah’s career at Liverpool
King Kenny was knighted in 2018 at Buckingham Palace for his services to football, charity contributions, and work for the city of Liverpool
Dalglish is widely honoured as one of Liverpool, Celtic and Scotland’s greatest figures.
The prolific forward won four league titles with Celtic before adding a further six on Merseyside as well as three European Cups in the 1970s and 1980s.
Brought in from Celtic to replace Keegan in 1977, his debut season on Merseyside produced 31 goals in 62 appearances, including a decisive goal in the European Cup final over Bruges at Wembley.
At Liverpool, he played in 515 matches and scored 172 goals between 1977 and 1990.
He went on to manage the Reds, guiding them to another three league titles, before leading Blackburn to their only Premier League crown, and managing Newcastle, Celtic and finally Liverpool again.
His journey into management came in tragic circumstances. After the Heysel Stadium disaster in 1985, Liverpool’s manager Joe Fagan resigned.
Aged just 34, Dalglish was appointed as the club’s first-ever player-manager, and in 1985-86 led them to a memorable league-cup double, even scoring the decisive goal against Chelsea to secure the title.
The King of the Kop was a natural at management. Liverpool were relentless under his tutelage, picking up trophy after trophy. He also steered the club through one of the darkest days in its history, the Hillsborough tragedy of 1989, when 97 supporters died.
Dalglish scored 375 goals for club and country across a long playing career
In total he won 35 competitions as a player and 14 as a manager, a trophy cabinet most footballers, and indeed clubs, could only dream of.
Liverpool said in a statement: ‘The support, best wishes and love of everyone at Liverpool FC are, and will continue to be, with Sir Kenny and his family.’
His last role in football management was at the Reds between January 2011 and May 2012.
He arrived to steady the ship as a caretaker manager after the sacking of Roy Hodgson and, in his second season back, led Liverpool to victory over Cardiff in the final of the 2012 League Cup, securing the club’s first trophy after a six-year drought.
In 2013, he took up a role as an advisor to the club.
Dalglish was last photographed publicly at Anfield in May to award Mohamed Salah with a special frame after his final match for the club.
In his television appearance last week, he was in good spirits. Showing his customary dry sense of humour, Dalglish laid praise to his fellow Scot, Robertson, who is just ten caps off emulating his own appearance record for their country.
‘When I first signed, all the names were thrown at me,’ Robertson told Cates. ‘Your dad, Alan Hansen and [Graeme] Souness…
‘I know the Liverpool fans do love a Scottish player in their team. And I know usually if there’s a Scottish player, it brings a bit of success as well.’
‘You’ve done yourself proud,’ said Dalglish. ‘I’m just a wee bit upset with the number of caps you’ve got with Scotland… And I think you should retire after the World Cup!’
Dalglish enjoys going to watch horse racing and was seen attending Cheltenham Festival in March last year
His son, Paul, posted: ‘You are s*** on social media but you are the strongest man I know’
This is not his only health concern of recent years. In 2020, the icon was hospitalised with Covid-19, but developed no symptoms and was soon released.
Tributes have poured in for Dalglish on social media.
His former club, Blackburn, where he led a squad including Alan Shearer to the title in 1994-95, wrote on X: ‘Sending all our love and support to Sir Kenny Dalglish, who has confirmed he is undergoing cancer treatment.’
Newcastle also wrote: ‘Everyone at Newcastle United extends love and best wishes to Sir Kenny Dalglish and his family following his cancer diagnosis.’ He led them to the 1998 FA Cup final, which they lost to Arsenal.
One fan said on social media: ‘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.’
One added: ‘So sorry to hear this about Kenny Dalglish. I hope he feels better soon.’
Another commented: ‘Really hope and pray Kenny Dalglish beats cancer.’
