Star Athlete Dead In Tragic Accident

Former Austria national team goalkeeper Alex Manninger, a veteran of Arsenal and a long run in Italy’s top flight, was killed in a road accident Thursday. He was 48, the Austrian Football Association said.

Austrian media, including Kronen Zeitung, reported Manninger’s vehicle was struck by a passenger train at an unrestricted crossing near Salzburg.

Awful news coming out of Austria. Ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died in a car crash aged just 48. It’s being reported that he drove through a level crossing with the barriers down and a train hit his car. Police now investigating. What a tragedy. RIP Alex. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/gB4MFuS7BH

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 16, 2026

Manninger earned 33 caps for Austria and broke into the spotlight as a young keeper with Arsenal from 1997 to 2001, mostly serving as a reserve during his time in north London.

His career turned into a European tour, with Manninger later playing for several Italian clubs, including Fiorentina, Torino, Bologna, Siena, Udinese and Juventus. He also spent the final stretch of his playing days at Liverpool during the 2016-17 season.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has been killed in a road accident, his first club Red Bull Salzburg have announced.

The Bundesliga outfit announced on Thursday that the 48-year-old had died. 💔 pic.twitter.com/1VRr0IXgOv

— Abhijit Pathak (@aajtakabhijit) April 16, 2026

The OEFB remembered Manninger as more than a name on a team sheet.

“Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador of Austrian football on and off the pitch,” said OEFB sporting director Peter Schoettel in a statement.

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

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