Former Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48 following a traffic accident near Salzburg, Austria, Austrian authorities confirmed on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
According to a statement released by Salzburg State police, Manninger was involved in a collision between his vehicle and a train of the Salzburg Local Railway while crossing the tracks near Nussdorf am Haunsberg, approximately 90 kilometres north of Salzburg. The incident occurred when his car was struck and dragged by the train.
“Upon arrival, emergency responders found that the car’s driver, a 48-year-old man from Salzburg, had already been freed from the vehicle by first responders and was undergoing CPR,” the police statement read. “Police assisted with resuscitation efforts, including the use of a defibrillator. Despite further efforts by paramedics and an emergency physician, resuscitation was unsuccessful. The man from Salzburg succumbed to his injuries.”
The police confirmed that initial investigations indicated the driver was alone in the vehicle and that the train driver was unharmed. An investigation into the circumstances of the accident remains ongoing.
Manninger, born Alexander Manninger on June 4, 1977, in Salzburg, Austria, enjoyed a professional career spanning over two decades as a goalkeeper. He began his senior career with SV Salzburg before moving through various clubs in Austria, including loan spells and stints with Grazer AK and Red Bull Salzburg.
His time in England came between 1997 and 2002 with Arsenal, where he made 64 appearances as a goalkeeper. During his five years at Highbury, Manninger was part of the squad that won the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998, primarily serving as a backup to first-choice goalkeeper David Seaman.
After leaving Arsenal, Manninger had brief spells with Espanyol, Fiorentina (on loan), Torino, and Bologna before establishing himself in Italy with Siena and later Juventus. He joined Juventus in 2008 and remained with the club until 2012, making 27 appearances and winning the Serie A title in 2012.
Following his Juventus stint, Manninger played for FC Augsburg in Germany from 2012 to 2016, making 36 appearances, before signing a short-term deal with Liverpool in 2016 at the age of 39. Although he trained with the squad and was part of the setup, he did not make an appearance for the Premier League club.
Internationally, Manninger represented the Austria national team on 33 occasions between 1999 and 2009. His international career included participation in UEFA Euro 2008, where Austria qualified for a major tournament for the first time since 1998.
In a statement released following the confirmation of his death, the Austrian Football Association expressed its profound grief: “The news of Alex Manninger’s death is deeply shocking. With him, football loses a special person.”
Tributes have begun to emerge from former clubs and teammates, with Red Bull Salzburg acknowledging his passing on social media, noting his roots in the region and his contributions to Austrian football.
The accident site near Nussdorf am Haunsberg is known for its level railway crossings along the Salzburg Local Railway line, which connects regional communities to the city of Salzburg. Authorities have not released further details about the exact timing or conditions at the crossing, pending the ongoing investigation.
As the football community processes the loss of a respected professional who played across four countries and represented his nation with distinction, the focus remains on verifying accurate information through official channels. No further updates regarding the investigation or memorial arrangements have been made available by authorities or Manninger’s representatives at this time.
For ongoing developments, readers are encouraged to refer to official statements from Salzburg State police and the Austrian Football Association as they become available.
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