Former Austrian goalkeeper Manninger dies at the age of 48 after a car-train collision

Former Austrian goalkeeper Alex Manninger, who played for Arsenal and a string of Italian clubs, died in a road accident on Thursday at the age of 48, the Austrian Football Association (OEFB) said.

The Crown newspaper and other media reported that Manninger’s vehicle was hit by a passenger train at an unmanned crossing near the Austrian city of Salzburg.

Manninger made 33 appearances for Austria between 1997 and 2001, playing for Arsenal, mainly as a reserve. He ended his career with Liverpool during the 2016-2017 season.

In Italy he played for Fiorentina, Turin, Bologna, Siena, Udinese and Juventus.

“Alexander Manninger was an excellent ambassador of Austrian football, both on and off the field,” OEFB sporting director Peter Schöttel said in a statement.

“Through his international career he set standards and inspired and shaped many young goalkeepers. His professionalism, calmness and reliability made him an important part of his teams and the national team.”

Published on April 16, 2026