Alex Manninger, the former Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper, was killed on the morning of April 16, 2026, when a train struck his car at a level crossing near Salzburg, Austria. He was 48.
The collision occurred around 8:20 a.m. in Nußdorf am Haunsberg at an unguarded crossing where Manninger’s car was hit by a Salzburger Lokalbahn railcar. First responders pulled him from his vehicle, which had been dragged along by the train, and attempted to revive him with a defibrillator, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The train driver and roughly 25 passengers aboard escaped unharmed, and Manninger was alone in his vehicle.
English football supporters will remember Manninger most for stepping up during Arsenal’s historic Double-winning 1997-98 campaign. Manager Arsène Wenger had signed him from Grazer AK for £500,000 in June 1997, and when David Seaman suffered an injury at a critical juncture, the 20-year-old Austrian delivered remarkable performances.
Manninger recorded six straight Premier League clean sheets, starred in a memorable 1-0 win at Old Trafford against Manchester United, and made a crucial save on Eyal Berkovic’s penalty during an FA Cup quarter-final replay shootout that helped Arsenal advance past West Ham to the semi-finals. His outstanding displays during those 13 appearances earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award for March 1998.
Arsenal gave Manninger a league winner’s medal through a special exemption even though he had played just seven league games that season, three fewer than the 10 typically required for the honor.
Tributes have flooded in from across European football following news of the tragedy. Arsenal expressed shock at the news, posting on social media: “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.”
David Seaman, the England legend who Manninger replaced during that title run, offered an emotional tribute to his former teammate. He said that Manninger, who shared his passion for fishing, was not only a talented goalkeeper but also a “great friend” and “massive player” for the club during a pivotal moment in Arsenal’s history.
After making 64 appearances for Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, Manninger departed for Espanyol in 2002 when the signing of goalkeeper Richard Wright further limited his opportunities for regular playing time in North London.
He spent much of his career in Italy’s Serie A, where he played for Fiorentina, Torino, Bologna, Brescia, Siena, and most notably Juventus. With the Italian giants, he served as backup to the legendary Gianluigi Buffon, making 35 appearances and earning a Serie A winner’s medal. Additional stops included Udinese and German side Augsburg before he signed a short-term deal with Liverpool in July 2016 to close out his playing days.
Manninger never appeared in a competitive match for the Reds during the 2016-17 season. Liverpool paid tribute to their former goalkeeper, stating they were “deeply saddened” by the news. He retired in May 2017 at age 39.
Peter Schöttel, sporting director of the Austrian Football Association, said: “Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador of Austrian football on and off the pitch. His professionalism, his calmness and his reliability made him an important part of his teams and also of the national team. His achievements deserve the highest respect and will remain unforgotten.”
Juventus, where Manninger spent four seasons, described him as “a man of rare values: humility, dedication, and an exceptional sense of professionalism,” while Red Bull Salzburg, his hometown club where his professional journey began, mourned their former player and extended condolences to his family.
On the international stage, Manninger represented Austria at Euro 2008, which his home country co-hosted with Switzerland. He earned 33 caps for the national team between 1999 and 2009.
Following his retirement from professional football, as a trained carpenter, he launched a successful business renovating houses in Austria. He frequently described woodwork as his “first love” and found fulfillment in creating with his hands away from the football pitch.
Fiorentina also honored Manninger on the day of his death, receiving Union of European Football Associations authorization to observe a minute’s silence before their Conference League quarter-final against Crystal Palace. Players from both sides wore black armbands, and a portrait of Manninger was projected on the stadium screen before kick-off.
Ahead of their Serie A match against Bologna at the Allianz Stadium, Juventus honored Manninger with a special tribute in the days after his death. Buffon and former Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci carried a floral wreath onto the pitch and placed it inside the goalmouth, the position Manninger once occupied, bearing the words “Ciao Alex.” The stadium announcer addressed the crowd directly: “Alex wore our shirt. He was a loyal man, an exemplary teammate, a person of enormous worth. He was one of the protagonists of a group that, step by step, returned to winning. We will never forget Alex, you will always be with us, in our home.” The current Juventus squad wore special shirts with his name and number, and the club dedicated their 2-0 victory to their former goalkeeper.
Manninger’s funeral was held privately, with his family choosing to limit the service to their immediate circle. Authorities in Salzburg have opened an investigation into the fatal collision at the level crossing.
Manninger leaves behind countless teammates, fans, and colleagues who will remember him not only for his achievements between the posts but for the quiet professionalism and humility he displayed throughout his remarkable career.
