Austrian soccer is mourning the death of former national goalkeeper Alexander Manninger. The Salzburg native died in a tragic accident on Thursday when his car collided with the Salzburg local train.
Alexander Manninger died in a serious traffic accident in Salzburg on Thursday. The former ÖFB team goalkeeper, aged 48, was killed in a collision with a local train. Manninger played 33 times for Austria’s national team during his successful career, winning the league and FA Cup double with Arsenal a year later after moving from GAK in the summer of 1997. He played for other top clubs such as Juventus Turin and Liverpool.
Having matured at Salzburg’s Austria, Manninger experienced his first great moment in Milan’s soccer temple in the GAK jersey after moving to Graz. Standing in for Franz Almer, who was ill, the then 19-year-old drove the stars of Inter Milan to despair with a number of saves in the UEFA Cup duel. Manninger was to go down in the history books as the “Hero of San Siro” for the Red Jackets. The performance opened the door to the footballing world for the young keeper: Arsenal brought him to London in 1997 for 15 million shillings. Manninger was the first Austrian to play in the English Premier League.
Champions with Arsenal and Juventus
Winning the double with the Gunners followed in 1998, in which Manninger played his part. Due to injuries to David Seaman, the Salzburg native made a total of twelve appearances in the league and FA Cup. In March 1998, he was named “Player of the Month” in the Premier League. From 1997 to 2001, Manninger made a total of 64 appearances for the top club. “Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic death of former goalkeeper Alex Manninger,” the current league leaders wrote on X. His thoughts are with his family and friends.
More of his former clubs were also shocked. “Today is a terribly sad day. He has left us not only as a great sportsman, but also as a person with rare values: modesty, commitment and an exceptional professional attitude,” wrote Juventus. Manninger worked for the Turin club from 2008 to 2012 as a substitute behind goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon. He made over 40 appearances for Italy’s top club and won the league title with Juve in 2012.
“Every word is superfluous. Every tear would just be one more for the loss of a great friend and a great person who I have always admired,” Buffon mourned. “You chose to remain independent despite the pull of the soccer world and sought your happiness in the simple things.”
In Italy, Manninger also played for Fiorentina, Torino and Siena before returning to his homeland for one season with Red Bull Salzburg (2005/06). After that, he went abroad again. In Germany, FC Augsburg was one stop before Liverpool brought the keeper back to the island. He did not make another appearance for the Reds in the 2016/17 season. Manninger was in Liverpool’s match squad four times. “The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with Alex’s family and friends at this difficult time,” the club wrote on Thursday.
ÖFB team debut under Otto Baric
According to the police, Manninger had an accident at 8.20 a.m. while crossing the railroad crossing in Nußdorf am Haunsberg (Flachgau), as the police stated. The car of the man from Salzburg was hit by the railcar and dragged along. First aiders freed the ex-goalie, who was traveling alone, from the wreckage. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. The train driver was uninjured. The cause of the accident is still being investigated.
“Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador for Austrian soccer on and off the pitch. He set standards with his international career and inspired and shaped many young goalkeepers. His professionalism, calmness and 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. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time,” said ÖFB sporting director Peter Schöttel.
Manninger made his national team debut in 1999 with a 0-0 draw in Sweden under Otto Baric. His highlight with the ÖFB team was his participation in the home EURO 2008, even though he did not play there. Jürgen Macho won the internal duel for the number one spot. Under Karel Brückner, Manninger became a regular keeper again in 2008. One year later, he ended his international career under Didi Constantini. He felt that he was not valued enough in the national team.
After retiring from Liverpool at the age of 39, Manninger said: “I was the first Austrian in the Premier League, the first young goalkeeper to play for Arsenal – it was all new and a great experience.” Coming from a small nation, he is grateful for everything. “I’ve met great players, played with world champions, with Golden Boot winners. I couldn’t have wished for more 20 years ago.”