Former Arsenal and Liverpool goalkeeper Manninger dies in car-train collision

Former Austria Goalkeeper Alex Manninger Dies in Car Accident

Austrian footballer Alex Manninger, who played for top-tier clubs Arsenal, Liverpool, and Juventus during his prime, has died at the age of 48. The incident occurred when Manninger’s car was struck by a train at a crossing near Salzburg.

Manninger made 33 appearances for Austria and had a successful career in Italy with several clubs, including Fiorentina, Torino, Bologna, Siena, Udinese, and Juventus. He played for Arsenal from 1997 to 2001, winning the league title and FA Cup in the 1997-1998 season.

The Austrian Football Association (OEFB) has released a statement mourning Manninger’s passing, describing him as an “outstanding ambassador of Austrian football.” The OEFB’s Sporting Director, Peter Schoettel, praised Manninger for his professionalism, calmness, and reliability on the pitch.

According to Salzburg police, the accident occurred at approximately 8:20am local time. First responders attempted to free Manninger from the vehicle but were unsuccessful in resuscitating him. The train driver was uninjured in the incident.

Several clubs have issued statements of condolence, including Arsenal, Liverpool, and Juventus. Fiorentina has announced that they will observe a minute’s silence during their upcoming Conference League game against Crystal Palace.

Source: Al Jazeera