Alex Manninger: Former Arsenal and Liverpool goalkeeper killed in car accident aged 48 | OneFootball

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has been killed in a car accident at the age of 48.

According to reports in Austria, Manninger’s car was struck by a train at a level crossing outside Salzburg on Thursday morning.

While an investigation into the fatal collision has been launched, the passengers on the train and the train driver were unharmed, according to local media reports.

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Former Arsenal golakeeper Alex Manninger has been killed in a car crash in Austria at the age of 48 (Getty)

“Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger,” Arsenal posted on X/Twitter. “All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time.”

Manninger made 64 appearances for Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, often serving as back-up to No 1 goalkeeper David Seaman and Richard Wright.

But he was part of the Arsenal team that won the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998, starting in the crucial Premier League victory at Manchester United in the March of that season when Seaman was injured.

Aged 20, Manninger started in six consecutive games for Arsenal while Seaman was unavailable and did not concede a goal, while he also played in the FA Cup quarter-final victory at West Ham, making key saves in the shoot-out as the Gunners progressed on penalties.

Although England international Seaman reclaimed his starting spot for the remainder of the season once he returned from injury, Manninger was awarded a Premier League winner’s medal for his contribution that campaign - even though he did not meet the number of required league appearances.

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Alex Manninger stepped up for Arsenal during a crucial run in the 1997-98 double-winning season (PA)

Much later in his career, Manninger joined Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, spending a year at the Reds between 2016 and 2017. Manninger did not play a match for Liverpool but he was signed as an experienced goalkeeper who could help the squad.

“Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former goalkeeper Alex Manninger at the age of 48,” the Reds said. “The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with Alex's family and friends at this difficult time.”

An Austria international, Manninger made 33 appearances for his country and was part of the Austria squad when they co-hosted Euro 2008. He also played for several Italian clubs, including Fiorentina, Siena and Juventus, as well as Augsburg in Germany.

He spent four years at Juventus between 2008 and 2012, making 35 appearances for the club when Gianluigi Buffon was unavailable, and the Italian giants said: “Today is a terribly sad day. He has left us not only as a great athlete, but as a man of rare values: humility, dedication, and an extraordinary professional seriousness.”

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Alex Manninger played for Augsburg between 2012 and 2016 before finishing his career in a non-playing capacity at Liverpool (Reuters)

Salzburg were Manninger’s first team and the club said: "We mourn the loss of our former player Alexander Manninger, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

The sporting director of the Austrian Football Association, Peter Schöttel, also paid tribute.

“Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football, both on and off the pitch,” he said. “His international career set standards and inspired and influenced many young goalkeepers.

“His professionalism, composure, and reliability made him an integral part of his teams and the national team. His achievements deserve the utmost respect and will be unforgettable. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”