The football world has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of Alex Manninger, with Red Bull Salzburg confirming the former goalkeeper lost his life in a road accident at the age of 48.
Manninger, who began his professional journey with Salzburg, rose to prominence during his time at Arsenal, where he played a key supporting role in the club’s historic 1997/98 double-winning campaign.
Stepping in for David Seaman, he delivered crucial performances, including a memorable penalty save in the FA Cup semi-final shootout victory over West Ham United.
Over the course of his Arsenal career, Manninger made 64 appearances, showcasing consistency and reliability between the posts.
From there, his journey took him across Europe, featuring in Italy’s Serie A with Fiorentina, Siena, and Juventus, while also competing in Germany with FC Augsburg.
He later returned to Austria with Red Bull Salzburg before eventually concluding his career at Liverpool, although he did not feature in a competitive match for the Reds.
On the international stage, Manninger earned 33 caps for Austria national football team and was part of the squad for UEFA Euro 2008, co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland.
“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,” Red Bull Salzburg shared an emotional tribute to confirm the heartbreaking news.
As tributes continue to pour in from across the football community, Manninger is remembered not only for his achievements on the pitch but also for his professionalism and dedication throughout a distinguished career.
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