Credit: Getty Images
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has tragically died in a car accident in Austria at the age of 48.
His first club Red Bull Salzburg confirmed the devastating news on Thursday, posting on their official X account: “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.”
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According to [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/16/alex-manninger-former-arsenal-goalkeeper-dies-aged-48-after-road-accident), Salzburg police reported the accident occurred at around 8:20am local time when Manninger’s car was struck by a railcar while crossing a railway crossing. Despite first responders freeing him from the vehicle, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
Arsenal’s Double hero
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Manninger joined the Gunners in June 1997 for £500,000 from Grazer AK and became a crucial figure in Arsenal’s historic Double-winning campaign of 1998. The Austrian made 64 appearances during his five-year stay under Arsène Wenger, stepping up admirably whenever called upon.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman paid tribute to his former deputy, highlighting Manninger’s crucial role during the Double season. “When I think of Alex Manninger, he was a fantastic goalkeeper for us,” Seaman said. “He came in and deputised for me during a really critical time to help us win the double. He did amazingly well.”
Seaman praised the young Austrian’s mental strength, noting how he kept a clean sheet in the vital 1-0 league win against Manchester United at Old Trafford and saved penalties in the FA Cup quarter-final victory over West Ham. “For a 20-year-old to come in and play for Arsenal in the way that he did was really special,” Seaman added.
International career and later years
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Capped 33 times by Austria, Manninger enjoyed a distinguished career that took him across Europe after leaving Arsenal in 2002. He had spells with Espanyol, Torino, Bologna, Siena, Juventus, Augsburg, and briefly Liverpool in 2016, though he didn’t make a competitive appearance for the Reds.
Arsenal posted their own tribute on X, writing: “All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time. Rest in peace, Alex.”
The Austrian Football Association described him as an “outstanding ambassador of Austrian football,” while former Juventus teammate Gianluigi Buffon shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, praising Manninger’s independence and love for simple pleasures like nature and family.
Manninger’s contributions to Arsenal’s success during one of the club’s most memorable seasons will not be forgotten by the supporters who witnessed his reliable performances between the posts.