Alex Manninger spoke candidly about his career in a poignant final interview just days before his tragic death. Manninger, 48, died on Thursday after reportedly being involved in a collision between his car and a train on the Salzburg local railway. According to local police, the incident occurred at an unguarded level crossing.
Local media outlet Salzburg ORF reported that Manninger's vehicle was struck while crossing near Nussdorf am Haunsberg. It is understood that emergency responders attended to him at the scene, but sadly, he could not be saved.
Earlier this month, Manninger gave an in-depth interview with Gazzetta Dello Sport about his career: "It still excites me just thinking about it. I was 20 years old, I was a kid.
"Wenger wanted to bring an international dimension to the club and focus on youngsters, I was one of them. Despite my age, I felt calm in goal. I had a monster like Tony Adams in front of me. He taught me a lot.
"I only have one regret: Leaving too soon. But you know, I wanted to play."
He represented the Gunners for four seasons, becoming the first Austrian ever to play for Arsenal. He would later return to English football with Liverpool, where he brought the curtain down on his playing career as back-up goalkeeper to first-choice Simon Mignolet.
He said: "It all started with a phone call. Jurgen knew everything about me. I'd beaten his Dortmund side with Augsburg two years earlier.
"[He said] 'I want that goalkeeper there. That day you saved everything against us. You have to do it for me, too'.
"I never actually played, I was 40, but leaving football and saying goodbye to the fans in front of the Kop was an amazing feeling."
Following news of his passing, Liverpool paid a heartfelt tribute: "Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former goalkeeper Alex Manninger at the age of 48.
"The Austrian arrived at Anfield in July 2016 to spend the final season of his lengthy playing career as a Red.
"Brought in as an experienced back-up goalkeeper, he featured in two friendly fixtures and was named in the matchday squad on four occasions during that campaign.
"Manninger represented a host of clubs in Europe across two decades – including hometown side Red Bull Salzburg, Arsenal, Fiorentina, Juventus and FC Augsburg."