Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48 after his car was struck by a train in Austria, in a tragic incident that occurred on Thursday morning near Salzburg.

What happened

Police said the crash happened around 8:20am at a level crossing, where Manninger’s vehicle was hit by an oncoming train.

Emergency responders reportedly used a defibrillator after pulling him from the wreckage, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. He was alone in the car at the time.

Authorities confirmed that the train driver was not injured.

Career at Arsenal and beyond

Manninger played 64 matches for Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, winning both the Premier League and FA Cup during his time at the club.

He was also capped 33 times for Austria and was part of the squad at Euro 2008, hosted in his home country.

During his career, he featured for several European clubs including Juventus, Udinese, Siena, and Augsburg.

Early breakthrough and recognition

At Arsenal, Manninger often served as backup to David Seaman but stepped up during the 1997–98 season, delivering key performances.

He played a crucial role in the club’s FA Cup run that season and impressed in a notable win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

His performances earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award in March 1998.

Later years

Manninger later joined Liverpool in 2016 under Jurgen Klopp on a short-term deal, although he did not make a competitive appearance.

He was brought in as an experienced figure within the squad before retiring shortly after.

Tributes pour in

The Austrian Football Association paid tribute to the late goalkeeper, describing him as a respected figure in the sport.

“Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football, both on and off the pitch,” said sporting director Peter Schottel.

“His professionalism, composure, and reliability made him an integral part of his teams and the national team.”