Former Arsenal and Austria goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48 after a crash in Salzburg on Thursday, according to current reporting and tributes from the football world. The news of Alex Manninger’s death at 48 has drawn immediate attention because of both the reported circumstances of the accident and Manninger’s long career across European football.
Reports said Manninger was alone in his car when it was struck by a train at a level crossing at about 08:20 local time. Emergency responders tried to revive him, but they could not save him.
Manninger built a career that lasted roughly two decades and took him across multiple clubs in Europe. He retired from professional football in 2017, leaving behind a record that included major domestic honours and a respected international career.
Tributes quickly followed news of Manninger’s death. The Austrian football community described him as an outstanding ambassador for the game, while former clubs also expressed sorrow over the loss.
According to the source text, the Austrian Football Association praised Manninger’s professionalism, composure, and reliability. That response reflected the strong reputation he built both on and off the pitch
Manninger remains best known to many fans for his time at Arsenal. He played for the club between 1997 and 2002, making 64 appearances, stepping in notably during the 1997-98 campaign as Arsenal won the Premier League and FA Cup double.
He also earned recognition at individual level. The source text notes that he won the Premier League Player of the Month award in March 1998, reflecting the impact he made during an important stretch for Arsenal.
Beyond club football, Manninger won 33 caps for Austria and represented his country with distinction. His career later included spells with several other European sides before retirement in 2017.
Manninger’s death has resonated widely because he belonged to a generation of dependable goalkeepers who built long careers through consistency and calmness rather than noise. That profile made him respected in dressing rooms and admired by supporters.
