Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger dies in train collision at 48

Alex Manninger, the former Arsenal goalkeeper who won the Premier League and FA Cup with the club, died at 48 after his car was struck by a train near an unguarded level crossing in the Salzburg area. Austrian media said the collision happened along the Salzburg railway line on Thursday, April 16, 2026, and authorities were still working to establish the exact sequence of events.

Red Bull Salzburg, Manninger’s first club, confirmed his death and called him “our former goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident.” The club added: “Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace, Alexander.” The Austrian Football Association also confirmed the death and described Manninger as an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football.

The circumstances of the crash have sharpened attention on rail-crossing danger, especially where crossings are unguarded and drivers have little margin for error. The Salzburg-area collision, involving a local train and Manninger’s car, underlines how quickly a routine journey can turn deadly when rail and road intersect without stronger physical protections.

Manninger’s career carried him across Austria, England and Italy. He played for Arsenal for five years between 1997 and 2002, becoming part of a squad that delivered both the Premier League and the FA Cup. He also played for Liverpool and later for Juventus, where he won the Serie A title in the 2011/12 season.

For Austria, Manninger won 33 senior caps and was part of the squad for Euro 2008 in his home country. The federation’s tribute placed him among the country’s respected professionals, both on and off the pitch, reflecting a reputation built over years of consistent, high-level work in goal.

His death leaves football mourning a veteran keeper whose name was tied to major clubs and major moments, while the fatal crossing in Salzburg has left another urgent public-safety question hanging over the rails.