Former Arsenal and Liverpool goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48 after suffering a car accident involving a local railway in his native Austria.
The former national team shotstopper was killed on Thursday in Salzburg, with local media outlet Salzburg ORF claiming that Manninger’s car had been hit while crossing a level crossing at Pabing, near Nussdorf am Haunsberg, at approximately 8.20am.
Manninger is believed to have been tended to by first responders after his car was first dragged several metres, who freed him from his vehicle.
Paramedics were quick to arrive at the scene to provide further treatment, but the Salzburg native was ultimately unable to be resuscitated.
Manninger is thought to have been alone in his vehicle, with the train driver and close to 25 passengers onboard unharmed.
A investigation by the public prosecutor into the crash’s circumstances is reportedly ongoing, with Bild suggesting that the electronic data from Manninger’s Volkswagen minivan could yet be analysed.
The red signal at the level crossing is also set to be examined, to learn whether it was operational at the right time.
Austria Salzburg – the club where the former goalkeeper started his career – were the first to offer their deepest sympathies on social media.
‘It is with great shock that we learned about the tragic accident in Nussdorf, where Alexander Manninger lost his life,’ the club shared in a statement on social media.
‘Alexander was not only a part of the Austrian family from 1984 to 1996, but above all a person who left his mark – on and off the pitch.
‘In these difficult hours, our deep sympathies go out to his family, his relatives and all those who were close to him.
‘The thoughts of all of Austria are with you. Rest In Peace, Alexander! (black heart emoji).’
The 48-year-old became the first Austrian player to star in the Premier League after signing for Arsenal in 1997, and went on to win the league title and the FA Cup with the Gunners during his 39 appearances in north London.
‘Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger,’ the club’s statement read. ‘All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time.
‘Rest in peace, Alex (red heart emoji).’
Manninger later enjoyed turns at European clubs including Torino, Siena, Red Bull Salzburg – the newly formed iteration of Austria Salzburg after its purchase by Red Bull in 2005 – Udinese, and Augsburg.
Manninger also won the Scudetto with Juventus, and his former team-mate, Italian football legend Gianluigi Buffon wrote a poignant tribute on Thursday, sharing both his upset and his admiration.
‘Dear Alex, every word is superfluous,’ he captioned a picture of the pair together on Instagram. ‘Every tear would be just another for the loss of a friend and a person I have always admired.
‘You have chosen to remain independent from the addiction of the world of football, seeking your happiness in simple things: a healthy life in the woods, fishing, nature, family. This was your belief.
‘In a world that is often bent and kneeling, chasing oppression, careerism and easy money, you have always claimed your freedom, maintaining an upright posture, with the pride of someone who knows what they want.
‘You had the strength to walk away 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 am certain, that from up there you will continue to guide your splendid children and your young wife.
‘Rest in peace. Gigi.’
Red Bull Salzburg also paid tribute to Manninger on Thursday, writing on social media: ‘We mourn the loss of our former player Alexander Manninger, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident.
‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace, Alexander (white dove emoji)’.
Juventus, where he won the league, paid tribute to Manninger’s professionalism and character in their missive.
‘Today is an utterly heartbreaking day,’ the club’s statement read. ‘He has left us not only a great athlete, but a man of rare values: humility, dedication, and an exceptional professional seriousness.
‘Juventus expresses its condolences for the passing of Alex Manninger and stands with the family in this moment of grief.’
‘President Urbano Cairo and the entire Torino Football Club, are deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news, (and) express their profound condolences and affectionate closeness to the Manninger family in memory of Alex Manninger,’ a statement from Torino read, with other tributes issued from clubs including Inter Milan, AC Milan, Espanyol, Lazio, Napoli, and European governing body UEFA.
Although he featured for the Reds for a solitary season before retiring in 2017, Liverpool also shared a touching tribute, writing: ‘Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former goalkeeper Alex Manninger at the age of 48.
‘The Austrian arrived at Anfield in July 2016 to spend the final season of his lengthy playing career as a Red. Brought in as an experienced back-up goalkeeper, he featured in two friendly fixtures and was named in the matchday squad on four occasions during that campaign.
‘The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with Alex’s family and friends at this difficult time.’
In his country’s colours, Manninger won 33 caps between 1999 and 2009, travelling with the team as part of Austria’s 2008 European Championship squad.
‘The news of Alex Manninger’s death is deeply upsetting,’ The Austrian Football Association (OFB) wrote in a social media post. ‘With him, football loses a special person.
‘In this difficult time, our sincere condolences go to his family, his friends, and all those who were close to him. Much strength for the time ahead!’
‘Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football, both on and off the pitch,’ OFB sporting director Peter Schottel shared in a separate statement. ‘His international career set standards and inspired and influenced many young goalkeepers.
‘Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.’
