Tragic Accident in Salzburg

Former professional goalkeeper Alexander Manninger has died at the age of 48 following a fatal accident in Salzburg, Austria. According to reports from OE 24, the tragedy occurred at a railway crossing when a train struck the vehicle Manninger was operating.

Emergency responders arrived at the site of the collision to find that the former athlete had already been extracted from his car. Despite their best efforts to provide medical assistance and resuscitation, he was pronounced dead. Preliminary investigation suggests that the vehicle was dragged for some distance following the initial impact.


Tributes to a Legendary Career

The Austrian football community has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the veteran goalkeeper. Peter Schöttel, sporting director of the Austrian Football Association, shared his condolences in an official statement:

«Alexander Manninger was a great ambassador for Austrian football both on and off the pitch who set a benchmark in his international career and inspired and shaped so many young goalkeepers. His professionalism, calmness and reliability made him an important part of his teams and the national team.»

Professional Journey and Achievements

Manninger’s professional career was marked by stints with several elite European clubs:

  • Arsenal: He spent four seasons with the Gunners, notably contributing to their Premier League title win during the 1997-1998 season. He recorded 39 appearances for the London side.
  • Serie A: He had a successful spell in Italy, representing three clubs, most notably Juventus where he played for two seasons between 2008 and 2010.
  • Bundesliga: Following his time in Italy, he enjoyed a four-season tenure with Augsburg in Germany.
  • Liverpool: His final season as a professional was spent at Liverpool during the 2016-17 campaign.

International Representation

At the international level, Manninger earned 33 caps for the Austrian national team. He was a key figure during the World Cup qualifying cycles for 2006 and 2010. Furthermore, he was a member of the national squad during the 2008 European Championship, a historic event for Austria as the nation served as a co-host alongside Switzerland.