Alex Manninger, the Austrian goalkeeper who earned legendary status at Arsenal during their 1997-98 Double-winning season, died April 16 when his car was struck by a train at a level crossing near Salzburg, Austria. He was 48.
The collision occurred around 8:20 a.m. in Nußdorf am Haunsberg municipality at an unguarded crossing where a Salzburger Lokalbahn railcar struck his vehicle. First responders pulled Manninger from his car, which had been dragged along by the train, and attempted to revive him with a defibrillator, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Manninger was driving alone, while the train operator and roughly 25 passengers aboard suffered no injuries.
Arsenal expressed shock at the news, posting on social media: “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.”
English football supporters will forever recall Manninger’s heroic displays during Arsenal’s historic 1997-98 campaign. Manager Arsène Wenger brought him to North London from Grazer AK for £500,000 in June 1997, and when David Seaman suffered an injury at a critical juncture, the 20-year-old Austrian stepped up magnificently.
His remarkable run included six straight Premier League clean sheets, a standout showing in a 1-0 win at Old Trafford against Manchester United, and a crucial penalty save from Eyal Berkovic during an FA Cup quarter-final replay shootout versus West Ham that propelled Arsenal into the semi-finals. March 1998 brought him the Premier League Player of the Month award for his outstanding performances.
Arsenal made a rare exception to give Manninger a league winner’s medal even though he appeared in just seven league matches that season — three shy of the 10 typically necessary for the distinction.
Seaman, the England legend whose place Manninger took during that title run, paid an emotional tribute to his former teammate. He said that Manninger, who shared his passion for fishing, was not only a talented goalkeeper but also a “great friend” and “massive player” for the club during a pivotal moment in Arsenal’s history.
Over a two-decade professional career, Manninger represented more than a dozen clubs across Europe and earned 33 caps for Austria at the international level. After leaving Arsenal in 2002 with 64 total appearances following Richard Wright’s arrival, he moved to Espanyol and then spent significant time in Italy’s Serie A.
His Italian clubs included Fiorentina, Torino, Bologna, Brescia, Siena, Udinese, and Juventus, where he collected a Serie A winner’s medal while making 35 appearances backing up Gianluigi Buffon. He also played for German side Augsburg before finishing his playing days with a short-term deal at Liverpool in July 2016.
Liverpool paid tribute to their former goalkeeper, stating they were “deeply saddened” by the news, though he never made a competitive appearance for the Reds. Manninger retired in May 2017 at age 39.
Austria selected Manninger for their Euro 2008 squad, with his home nation serving as co-host alongside Switzerland, representing a career highlight during his international tenure that began in 1999.
Peter Schöttel, sporting director of the Austrian Football Association, said: “Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador of Austrian football on and off the pitch. His professionalism, his calmness and his reliability made him an important part of his teams and also of the national team. His achievements deserve the highest respect and will remain unforgotten.”
Juventus, where Manninger spent four seasons, described him as “a man of rare values: humility, dedication, and an exceptional sense of professionalism,” while Red Bull Salzburg, his hometown club where his professional journey began, mourned their former player and extended condolences to his family.
Following retirement, the trained carpenter returned to his original craft, building a thriving business in Austria focused on house renovations. He frequently described woodwork as his “first love” and discovered satisfaction in working with his hands beyond football.
In the days after his death, Juventus offered a further tribute before their Serie A fixture against Bologna at the Allianz Stadium. Buffon and former teammate Leonardo Bonucci carried a floral wreath onto the pitch and placed it inside the goalmouth, the position Manninger once occupied, bearing the words “Ciao Alex.” The current Juventus squad wore special shirts with his name and number, and the club dedicated their 2-0 victory to their former goalkeeper.
Salzburg police have opened an investigation into what led to the fatal crash at the level crossing. Seaman concluded his tribute by saying, “My thoughts are with his wife and young family.” Manninger leaves behind countless teammates, fans, and colleagues who will remember him not only for his achievements between the posts but for the quiet professionalism and humility he displayed throughout his remarkable career.
