Former Austria Goalkeeper Manninger, Who Helped Arsenal Win the Premier League and FA Cup, Dies in Car Accident

(Vienna, April 17) Former Austrian goalkeeper Alex Manninger, who played for clubs including Arsenal, Juventus, and Liverpool, has tragically passed away at the age of 48 following a traffic accident.

According to police, Manninger was involved in a collision between his car and a train at a crossing in his hometown of Salzburg. His vehicle was reportedly dragged several meters. Despite prompt rescue efforts, he could not be saved. He was alone in the car, while the train driver and passengers were unharmed. Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing.

Tributes quickly poured in. His former club Red Bull Salzburg expressed shock and sorrow, highlighting his long association with the club and his lasting impact both on and off the pitch.

Arsenal honored him with a symbolic “∞,” representing his enduring legacy, while Liverpool and Juventus described him as a humble, dedicated, and respected professional.

Manninger was Arsenal’s first Austrian player and was part of the club’s 1997/98 Premier League and FA Cup double-winning squad. Over five seasons, he made 39 league appearances before being loaned to Fiorentina in 2001/02.

He went on to have a journeyman career across Europe, including stints with Espanyol in Spain and several Italian clubs such as Juventus, Udinese, Torino, Bologna, and Siena, as well as Augsburg in Germany.

During his time at Juventus, he won the 2011/12 Serie A title and made 42 appearances, often stepping in when first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was unavailable.

In the 2016/17 season, nearing 40, he returned to the Premier League with Liverpool. Although he did not feature in matches, he was actively involved in community outreach programs before retiring in 2017.

Internationally, Manninger earned 33 caps for Austria, debuting in 1999 and being part of the squad for UEFA Euro 2008.

Austria’s sporting director Peter Schottel paid tribute, describing him as a key figure in Austrian football and a role model known for his professionalism and composure.