Former Alex Manninger, who once played for Arsenal, has died at the age of 48 after his car was struck by a train in Austria.
Gatekeepers News reports that Police said the incident occurred at about 08:20 local time (07:20 BST) at a level crossing near Salzburg. Emergency responders attempted to revive Manninger after freeing him from the vehicle, which had been dragged along the tracks, but were unable to resuscitate him. He was alone in the car at the time, while the train driver was unharmed.
Manninger made 64 appearances for Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, winning both the Premier League and FA Cup. On the international stage, he earned 33 caps for Austria national football team and was part of the squad at Euro 2008, co-hosted by his home country.
Paying tribute, Peter Schottel, sporting director of the Austrian Football Association, said:
“Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football, both on and off the pitch.
“His professionalism, composure and reliability made him an integral part of his teams and the national team.
“His achievements deserve the utmost respect and will be unforgettable.”
Manninger began his career with hometown side Red Bull Salzburg and went on to play for 14 clubs across Europe, including Juventus, Udinese, Augsburg and Siena. He also signed a short-term deal with Liverpool in 2016, though he did not make a first-team appearance.
During his time at Arsenal, Manninger often served as understudy to David Seaman but stepped up during the 1997–98 season. He played a key role in an FA Cup penalty shootout win over West Ham and impressed in a notable victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford. His performances earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award for March 1998.
Despite not meeting the usual appearance threshold, Arsenal awarded him a league winner’s medal for that season.
In a statement, the club said:
“Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger.
“All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time.”
Former clubs also paid tribute. Red Bull Salzburg said they “mourn” their former player, while Liverpool expressed that they were “deeply saddened” by the news.
Juventus, where Manninger made 42 appearances and deputised for Gianluigi Buffon, described his death as a profound loss.
“Today is a terribly sad day,” the club said.
“He has left us not only as a great athlete, but as a man of rare values: humility, dedication, and an extraordinary professional seriousness.
“Juventus expresses its condolences for the passing of Alex Manninger and stands with the family in this moment of grief.”
