Alex Manninger, a former goalkeeper for Arsenal and Juventus, has died at age 48 after his car was struck by a train in Austria. The 64-cap Austrian international made notable contributions during his club career across Europe. Clubs and the national federation have expressed their condolences.
Alex Manninger died in a traffic accident in his native Austria when his car was hit by a train. The tragedy occurred recently, prompting tributes from the football world. He was 48 years old at the time of his death. Manninger began his professional career with Red Bull Salzburg before becoming the first Austrian to join Arsenal in 1997. He made 64 appearances for the club between 1997 and 2002, contributing to their Premier League and FA Cup triumphs, including a key role in the 1997-98 domestic double despite often backing up David Seaman. His career continued with stints at Juventus, Udinese, FC Augsburg, and Siena in Italy. Manninger also signed for Liverpool in 2016 but did not play competitively there. Internationally, he earned 33 caps for Austria and featured in their Euro 2008 squad hosted at home. The Austrian Football Association mourned the loss of an outstanding ambassador. Sporting director Peter Schottel 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. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.” Juventus described the day as very sad, stating: “We have lost not only a great athlete, but a man of rare values: humility, dedication and an exceptional sense of professionalism. Alex Manninger will be remembered for the example he set, on and off the pitch.” Arsenal added: “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. Rest in peace, Alex.”
