Red Bull Salzburg announced the player died in a crash
Alexander Manninger
Alexander Manninger
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Alex Manninger, a former Arsenal goalkeeper, has tragically passed away at age 48 as colleagues praise his positive influence on young goalkeepers. His first club Red Bull Salzburg revealed he died in a 'traffic accident'.
The Bundesliga outfit made the announcement on Thursday (April 16) in a post on its official X account saying: "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."
Capped 33 times by Austria, Manninger joined the Gunners in a £500,000 move from Grazer AK in June 1997. There he made 64 appearances under Arsene Wenger and won the Premier League during a five-year stay, before leaving for Espanyol, with David Seaman and Richard Wright blocking his path to the first team.
He also had spells with Torino, Bologna, Siena and Juventus in Italy, Augsburg in Germany and briefly Liverpool back in the English top flight. MyLondon reports the Austrian football association also mourned his death, saying he was an “outstanding” servant.
Sporting director Peter Schottel said on the Osterreichischer Fussball-Bund official website: “Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador of Austrian football on and off the pitch.
“With his international career, he has set standards and inspired and shaped many young goalkeepers. His professionalism, his calmness and his reliability have made him an important part of his teams and also of the national team.
"His achievements deserve the highest respect and will remain unforgotten. In this difficult time, our thoughts are with his family and loved ones."
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