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Former Arsenal and Austria goalkeeper killed in rail collision
Austrian police confirmed that ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger, 48, died after his car was hit by a train at a Salzburg level crossing on Thursday morning.
Incident details
The crash occurred at approximately 08:20 local time (07:20 BST). Emergency crews extracted Manninger from the vehicle and attempted resuscitation using a defibrillator, but were unable to revive him. The train driver sustained no injuries.
Football career highlights
Manninger earned 33 caps for Austria and was part of the squad that competed in Euro 2008 on home soil. He made 64 appearances for Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, winning both the Premier League and FA Cup during his tenure.
Though primarily David Seaman's understudy, Manninger stepped up during Seaman's injury absence in the 1997-98 season. His performances included a penalty shootout victory over West Ham in the FA Cup quarter-final and a standout display in a 1-0 win at Manchester United. He was named Premier League Player of the Month for March 1998.
Tributes pour in
"Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football, both on and off the pitch. His professionalism, composure and reliability made him an integral part of his teams and the national side. His achievements deserve the utmost respect and will be unforgettable."
Austrian FA sporting director Peter Schöttel
Club journey
Manninger began his career at hometown club Red Bull Salzburg before moving to Arsenal. Over his career, he played for 14 clubs across Europe, including Juventus, Udinese, Siena, and Augsburg. In 2016, he joined Liverpool on a short-term deal at age 39 but did not make a first-team appearance.
