Former Arsenal and Liverpool goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48 following a tragic accident in Austria.

Police confirmed that the incident occurred at a level crossing near Salzburg at approximately 8:20 a.m. local time, when a train struck Manninger’s car. Emergency services freed him from the vehicle and attempted resuscitation, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said he was alone in the car, while the train driver was unharmed.

Manninger enjoyed a distinguished career across Europe. He made 64 appearances for Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, playing a key role in the club’s 1997–98 campaign, during which they secured both the Premier League and FA Cup titles. He also earned 33 caps for Austria national team and was part of the squad for UEFA Euro 2008.

In a statement, Austrian Football Association sporting director Peter Schöttel paid tribute to Manninger, describing him as “an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football” whose professionalism and composure made him a vital presence both at club level and internationally. He added that Manninger’s achievements “deserve the utmost respect and will be unforgettable.”

Manninger began his professional career with Red Bull Salzburg and went on to play for several European clubs, including Juventus, Udinese and FC Augsburg. He later joined Liverpool FC on a short-term deal in 2016, although he did not make a competitive appearance.

At Arsenal, Manninger was primarily the understudy to David Seaman but stepped up during the latter part of the 1997–98 season, delivering a series of impressive performances. He played a crucial role in an FA Cup victory over West Ham United and featured in a memorable league win against Manchester United at Old Trafford. His performances earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award in March 1998.

Manninger is remembered as a reliable and composed goalkeeper whose contributions left a lasting mark on the clubs and country he represented.