Alex Manninger, former Arsenal goalkeeper passes way at 48 in Salzburg train collision

Former Arsenal and Austria goalkeeper Alex Manninger passed away at the age of 48 following a fatal car accident involving a train near Salzburg, Austria. The incident occurred at approximately 08:20 local time on Thursday morning at a level crossing close to Salzburg.

Police confirmed that Manninger was alone in his vehicle when it was struck by a passing train. First responders worked quickly to free him from the badly damaged car, which had been dragged along the tracks, and used a defibrillator in an attempt to resuscitate him. Sadly, their efforts were unsuccessful. The train driver escaped unharmed.

Career highlights: From Salzburg to Arsenal glory

Born in Salzburg, Alex Manninger began his professional journey with local club Red Bull Salzburg before embarking on a globe-trotting career that spanned 14 different teams across Europe. He enjoyed notable spells in Italy with Siena, Juventus, and Udinese, as well as stints in Germany with Augsburg and a brief late-career return to England with Liverpool in 2016 at the age of 39, although he did not make a competitive appearance for the Reds.

Alex Manninger will be best remembered for his time at Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, where he made 64 appearances. Serving primarily as backup to England international David Seaman, he stepped up impressively when called upon. During the 1997-98 Premier League-winning campaign under Arsène Wenger, Manninger deputised for the injured Seaman and played a key role in Arsenal’s run to FA Cup success. His standout moments included saving penalties in a dramatic sixth-round shootout victory over West Ham and delivering a confident display in a memorable league win at Manchester United’s Old Trafford.

That March, Manninger’s consistent performances earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award. Despite falling short of the usual appearance threshold, Arsenal awarded him a league winner’s medal in recognition of his valuable contribution to the Double-winning side.

Tributes pour in from former clubs

Arsenal posted on X:

“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.”

Juventus, where Manninger made 42 appearances as understudy to Gianluigi Buffon, described him as “a man of rare values”:

“Today is a terribly sad day. 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.”

Red Bull Salzburg and Liverpool also issued statements mourning the loss of the former keeper.

International legacy with Austria

On the international stage, Alex Manninger earned 33 caps for Austria and was part of the national team squad that competed at Euro 2008 on home soil. His professionalism and reliability made him a respected figure in Austrian football.

Following news of his passing, Austrian Football Association sporting director Peter Schottel paid a heartfelt tribute, "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."