Ex-Arsenal, Juventus goalkeeper killed in train accident

Updated April 17, 2026 — 6:14am,first published 12:31am

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Former Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper Alex Manninger, who also played for Austria, has died at the age of 48 after the car he was driving was hit by a train at a crossing near Salzburg.

The Austrian Football Association (OEFB) and clubs associated with the player, who retired as a professional in 2017, mourned his passing.

Manninger made 33 appearances for Austria and played for Arsenal, mainly as a reserve, between 1997 and 2001 with the club winning the league title and FA Cup in the 1997-98 season. He ended his career at Liverpool (2016-17).

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In Italy, he played for Fiorentina, Torino, Bologna, Siena, Udinese and Juventus.

“Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador of Austrian football on and off the pitch,” said OEFB Sporting Director Peter Schoettel in a statement.

“With his international career, he has set standards and inspired and shaped many young goalkeepers. His professionalism, his calmness and his reliability made him an important part of his teams and also of the national team.”

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Salzburg police said in a statement that the accident happened at around 8.20am on Thursday local time. First responders freed the driver from the vehicle but resuscitation was unsuccessful.

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“According to initial investigations, the car was hit by a railcar of the Salzburger Lokalbahn while crossing the railway crossing and dragged along. The driver was alone in the vehicle. The train driver was uninjured,” the police said.

Fiorentina said they will observe a minute’s silence and wear black armbands for Thursday’s home Conference League game with Crystal Palace, while league leaders Arsenal conveyed their shock on social media.

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

Liverpool said Manninger “arrived at Anfield in July 2016 to spend the final season of his lengthy playing career as a Red”.

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“Brought in as an experienced back-up goalkeeper, he featured in two friendly fixtures and was named in the match day squad on four occasions during that campaign,” it said in a statement.

Juventus said it was a “very sad day” as the club had “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 and stands close to his family in this moment of grief,” it said.

with Reuters, AP

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