Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died aged 48 after the car he was driving was struck by a train at a level crossing near Salzburg, police confirmed earlier today, April 16.
The incident happened at about 08:20 local time on Thursday. Emergency crews freed Alex Manninger from the vehicle and used a defibrillator in an attempt to revive him, but he could not be resuscitated. Police said the train driver was unharmed.
Manninger made 64 appearances for Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, winning both the Premier League and the FA Cup. He earned 33 caps for Austria and was part of the squad at UEFA Euro 2008.
“Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football, both on and off the pitch,” said Austrian Football Association sporting director Peter Schottel.
“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.”
Manninger began his career at hometown side Red Bull Salzburg and played for 14 clubs across Europe, including Juventus, Udinese, Augsburg and Siena. He later signed a short-term deal with Liverpool in 2016 but did not feature.
At Arsenal, he largely served as understudy to David Seaman, but stepped in during the run-in of the 1997-98 season when the England keeper was injured.
He helped Arsenal beat West Ham United on penalties in the FA Cup sixth round and produced a standout display in a win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Manninger was named Premier League Player of the Month for March 1998.
