Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger dies in traffic accident aged 48

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48 after his car was struck by a train, police said.

He played for Arsenal for five years between 1997 and 2002, helping the Gunners win the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998.

The announcement was made by his first club, Red Bull Salzburg, on Thursday.

The Austrian team said in a post on social media: "We mourn our former goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace, Alexander."

Manninger also won 33 caps for Austria and was part of the squad for the 2008 Euros held jointly in the country with Switzerland.

He joined the Gunners in a £500,000 move from Grazer AK and made 64 appearances under Arsene Wenger, winning the Premier League and FA Cup during a five-year stay before leaving for Espanyol in Spain.

In tribute, Arsenal wrote on X: "Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger.

"All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time. Rest in peace, Alex."

Austrian Football Association (OFB) sporting director Peter Schottel called the keeper "an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football, both on and off the pitch".

He added: "[Manninger] set standards and inspired and influenced many young goalkeepers. His professionalism, composure, and reliability made him an integral part of his teams and the national team.

"His achievements deserve the utmost respect and will be unforgettable. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time."

The Salzburg Police said its officers were called to a traffic accident involving a train and a car at a level-crossing in Nussdorf am Haunsberg, north of the city, at around 8.20am on Thursday.

Quoting initial investigations, they said the car "was struck and dragged by a train of the Salzburg Local Railway while crossing the tracks. The driver was alone in the vehicle. The train driver was unharmed".

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The railway line was closed, but has since reopened as the accident investigation continues, the force added.

As well as Arsenal, Salzburg and Espanyol, Manninger also played for clubs in Italy, Germany and Spain, including Juventus, Siena, Torino and Augsburg. He won a Serie A title and the Italian Cup while at the Turin giants.

Manninger later returned to the Premier League in 2016, but did not make a competitive appearance for Liverpool after joining on a short-term deal for what proved to be his final season before retiring in 2017.

Juventus celebrated the life of "a man of rare values" in a statement on X saying: "Today is a very sad day. We have lost not only a great athlete, but a man of rare values: humility, dedication and an exceptional sense of professionalism.

"Alex Manninger will be remembered for the example he set, on and off the pitch.

"Juventus expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Alex Manninger and stands close to his family in this moment of grief."

In total, he made 64 appearances with the Gunners between 1997 and 2002, largely as understudy to David Seaman.

In his first season in north London, the Austrian played in seven Premier League matches and saved a penalty in the FA Cup quarter-final shootout win over West Ham as Arsenal won the double for the second time in the club's history.

Manninger worked as a carpenter before getting his break in football and after retirement, ran his own renovation business in Austria.

(c) Sky News 2026: Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger dies in traffic accident aged 48