Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger killed in road accident, aged 48

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has been killed in a road accident, his first club Red Bull Salzburg have announced.

The Bundesliga outfit announced on Thursday that the 48-year-old had died, in a post on their official X account.

It said: “We mourn our former goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace, Alexander.”

According to reports from Austria, Manninger’s car was in a collision with a train on a level crossing on the Salzburg local railway in Nussdorf am Haunsberg on Thursday morning.

Capped 33 times by Austria, Manninger joined the Gunners in a £500,000 move from Grazer AK in June 1997, where he made 64 appearances under Arsene Wenger and won the Premier League and FA Cup during a five-year stay before leaving for Espanyol, with David Seaman and Richard Wright blocking his path to the first team.

Arsenal wrote on X: “Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger.

“All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time.

“Rest in peace, Alex.”

He also had spells with Torino, Bologna, Siena and Juventus – with whom he collected a Serie A winner’s medal – in Italy, Augsburg in Germany and briefly Liverpool back in the English top flight.

The Austrian football association also mourned his death, saying he was an “outstanding” servant.

Sporting director Peter Schottel said on the Osterreichischer Fussball-Bund official website: “Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador of Austrian football on and off the pitch.

“With his international career, he has set standards and inspired and shaped many young goalkeepers.

“His professionalism, his calmness and his reliability have made him an important part of his teams and also of the national team. His achievements deserve the highest respect and will remain unforgotten.

“In this difficult time, our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

Manninger did not make a competitive appearance for Liverpool after joining on a short-term deal in July 2016 for what proved to be his final season.

A post on the Reds’ X account read: “Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former goalkeeper Alex Manninger at the age of 48.

“The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with Alex’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

Juventus celebrated the life of “a man of rare values”.

They said on X: “Today is a very sad day. We have lost not only a great athlete, but a man of rare values: humility, dedication and an exceptional sense of professionalism.

“Alex Manninger will be remembered for the example he set, on and off the pitch.

“Juventus expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Alex Manninger and stands close to his family in this moment of grief.”

Manninger worked as a carpenter before getting his break in football and put those skills to good use after retirement in his own renovation business.

He had few regrets from a career which saw him work under Wenger, Antonio Conte and Jurgen Klopp, and play alongside the likes of Gianluigi Buffon and Alessandro Del Piero, but admitted to one in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this month.

Asked about his time at Arsenal, he said: “It excites me just thinking about it. I was 20 years old, I was a kid. Wenger wanted to bring an international dimension to the club and focus on young people. I was one of those.

“I must say that, despite my age, I felt calm in goal. I had a sacred monster like Tony Adams in front of me. He taught me a lot.

“I have only one regret: leaving too soon. But, you know, I wanted to play.”

Former Italy star Buffon wrote on his Instagram account: “Dear Alex.

“Every word is superfluous. Every tear would be just another for the loss of a friend and someone I’ve always admired.

“You chose to remain independent from the addiction of the world of football, seeking your happiness in the simple things: a healthy life in the woods, fishing, nature, family. This was your credo.

“In a world often bowed and genuflected, chasing oppression, careerism, and easy money, you always asserted your freedom, maintaining an upright posture, with the pride of someone who knows what you want.

“You had the strength to distance yourself from all this and look at us with that sly smile of yours, as if to say: ‘You’re all crazy, you’ll never have me’.

“I hope, indeed, I’m certain, that from up there you will continue to guide your beautiful children and your young wife.

“Rest in peace, Gigi.”