Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48 following a road accident in Austria.
Manninger was involved in a collision with a train near Nussdorf am Haunsberg, with emergency services unable to revive him despite extensive efforts at the scene.
Salzburg State police confirmed that the driver, identified as a 48-year-old man from the region, had already been freed from the vehicle and was undergoing CPR when responders arrived.
“Despite further efforts by paramedics and an emergency physician, resuscitation was unsuccessful,” the statement read, confirming that he died from his injuries.
Initial findings suggest the car was struck and dragged by a local railway train while crossing the tracks, with Manninger alone in the vehicle at the time.
The train driver was unharmed, and authorities have said that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Manninger spent five years at Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, playing a significant role during one of the club’s most successful periods.
He was part of the squad that secured the Premier League and FA Cup double in the 1997-98 season, stepping in during a crucial run-in and delivering a series of assured performances.
His contribution was recognised with a winner’s medal despite not meeting the standard appearance threshold at the time.
The Austrian goalkeeper went on to enjoy a long career across Europe, including a Serie A title with Juventus in 2012.
He also earned 33 international caps for Austria and later joined Liverpool in 2016, although he did not make a competitive appearance.
Tributes have poured in from across the football world, with the Austrian Football Association describing his death as “deeply shocking”.
Sporting director Peter Schottel said Manninger was “an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football” and praised his professionalism and composure throughout his career.
Former Juventus team-mate Gianluigi Buffon also paid tribute, writing: “Words are superfluous… every tear would be just another one shed for the loss of a friend.”
Arsenal released a statement expressing that everyone at the club is “shocked and deeply saddened” by the news, offering condolences to his family and loved ones.
Manninger remains fondly remembered in North London for his role in the 1997-98 campaign, when he stepped up at a decisive moment and helped deliver a historic domestic double.
His passing represents a tragic loss for the football community, with former teammates and clubs united in honouring both his career and his character.