Former Arsenal Goalkeeper Alex Manninger Dies Aged 48
Sports Updated: 16 April 2026 18:29 EAT
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Former goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48 following a tragic accident in Austria, after his car was struck by a train at a railway crossing near Salzburg.
Authorities said the incident occurred earlier this week, with the former goalkeeper believed to have been alone in the vehicle when it was hit. Emergency services responded to the scene, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.
His death has been confirmed by football authorities in Austria and former clubs, triggering an outpouring of grief and tributes from across the global football community.
Manninger rose to prominence during his time at Arsenal FC, where he played between 1997 and 2002, making 64 appearances in all competitions.
He was part of the club’s historic 1997/98 squad under manager Arsène Wenger, contributing to a memorable Premier League and FA Cup double.
During that campaign, he stepped in for injured first-choice goalkeeper David Seaman and delivered a string of strong performances that underlined his reliability.
After leaving Arsenal, Manninger enjoyed a lengthy career across Europe, playing in top leagues in Italy, Germany and Spain.
He had a notable stint at Juventus FC, where he served as an experienced deputy to Gianluigi Buffon and was part of a Serie A-winning squad.
His club career also included spells at Fiorentina, Torino, Bologna and Augsburg, where he earned recognition for his professionalism and consistency.
Manninger later joined Liverpool FC for the 2016/17 season, bringing his playing career to a close shortly thereafter.
On the international stage, he earned 33 caps for the Austria national football team and was part of the squad at UEFA Euro 2008, co-hosted by Austria.
Tributes have continued to pour in from former teammates, clubs and fans, with many remembering Manninger as a calm, dependable presence and a respected figure in European football.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD