Omotayo Fashola
(Former Arsenal Goalkeeper Alex Manninger. Image: The Independent)
Former Arsenal and Austria national team goalkeeper Alex Manninger tragically died in an accident at the age of 48 after his vehicle collided with a train.
Authorities reported the fatal collision occurred at a railway crossing near Salzburg around 8:20 AM local time. Despite efforts by first responders who extracted Manninger from the wreckage, all resuscitation attempts proved unsuccessful.
Investigators confirmed the goalkeeper was alone in his car during the incident, and the train operator emerged physically unharmed.
Manninger made his mark in English football during his five-year stint with Arsenal (1997-2002), where he earned Premier League and FA Cup honors while making 64 appearances. The Austrian international also represented his country 33 times, including at Euro 2008 as a tournament co-host.
Peter Schottel, sporting director of the Austrian FA, honored the late player: “Alex was a true role model for Austrian football—a consummate professional whose calm demeanor and dependability made him invaluable to every team he played for.
“His remarkable career leaves a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire.”
After beginning with Salzburg, Manninger’s European career spanned top clubs like Juventus, Udinese, and Augsburg before concluding with Liverpool in 2016—though he never featured for the Reds.
Initially serving as David Seaman’s understudy at Arsenal, Manninger seized his opportunity during the 1997-98 title-winning season when Seaman was sidelined. His standout performances included a clean sheet in Arsenal’s crucial win over Manchester United and heroics in the FA Cup quarter-finals against West Ham.
These contributions earned him the Premier League’s Player of the Month distinction in March 1998.
