Former Arsenal FC goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48 following a traffic accident involving a train, police have confirmed.
Authorities said the incident occurred at a railway crossing in Nussdorf am Haunsberg, near Salzburg, where Manninger’s car was struck and dragged by a train. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle, while the train driver was unharmed.
Manninger spent five years at Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, making 64 appearances and playing a role in the club’s historic Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998 under Arsène Wenger.
The news of his death was confirmed by Red Bull Salzburg, his first professional club, which paid tribute to the former goalkeeper.
Arsenal also expressed shock and sadness, describing his passing as a tragic loss and offering condolences to his family.
Manninger earned 33 caps for Austria and was part of the squad for the 2008 European Championship, co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland.
Over a career spanning multiple leagues, he played for several top clubs, including Juventus FC, where he won Serie A and the Italian Cup, as well as Espanyol, Siena, Torino and Augsburg.
The Austrian Football Association described him as an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football, praising his professionalism and influence on younger players.
After retiring from football in 2017 following a brief stint with Liverpool FC, Manninger pursued a career in carpentry and later ran his own renovation business in Austria.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the football world, remembering him not only for his achievements on the pitch but also for his character and humility off it.
