Image Credits: Imago Images
Former Arsenal and Liverpool goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48 after his car was struck by a train. His first club, Red Bull Salzburg, confirmed the news last Thursday.
The Austrian Bundesliga side announced it in a statement on their official X account, expressing their condolences following his passing.
Salzburg said: “We mourn our former goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace, Alexander.”
Salzburg police said in a statement that the accident occurred at around 8:20am local time. First responders managed to free the driver from the vehicle, but said resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
“According to initial investigations, the car was hit by a railcar of the Salzburger Lokalbahn while crossing the railway crossing and dragged along. The driver was alone in the vehicle. The train driver was uninjured.”
Manninger made 64 appearances for Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, winning the Premier League and FA Cup. He served mainly as backup to David Seaman but featured prominently during the 1997-98 season, including in an FA Cup penalty shootout win over West Ham and a notable victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
He was named Premier League Player of the Month in March 1998. He won 33 caps for Austria and was part of the squad at Euro 2008 in his home country.
Manninger began his career with hometown club Red Bull Salzburg and went on to play for several European teams, including Juventus, Udinese, Fiorentina and Augsburg. He joined Liverpool on a short-term deal in 2016 but did not make a competitive appearance.
A post on the Reds’ X account read: “Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former goalkeeper Alex Manninger at the age of 48. The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with Alex’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Juventus paid tribute to Manninger ahead of their 2-0 win over Bologna in the Serie A on Sunday. He made 42 appearances for the club, often deputising for first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon during his spell in Turin.
