Alex Manninger: Former Arsenal goalkeeper who helped Gunners to Premier League and FA Cup double in 1997/98 dies aged 48
Goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48; Former Austria international played role in Premier League and FA Cup wins for Arsenal under Arsene Wenger in 1997/98
Thursday 16 April 2026 17:02, UK
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has been killed in a road accident, his first club Red Bull Salzburg have announced.
Manninger, 48, helped Arsenal to the double in 1997/98, stepping in for David Seaman to make seven appearances in the Premier League and saving a penalty in the FA Cup semi-final shootout win over West Ham.
He made 64 appearances with the Gunners between 1997 and 2002, before spells in Serie A, with clubs such as Fiorentina, Siena and Juventus, the Austrian Bundesliga with Red Ball Salzburg, and the German Bundesliga, with FA Augsburg. He finished his career at Liverpool but didn't make an appearance there.
Arsenal said in a statement: "Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger. All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time."
Manninger also won 33 caps for Austria and was part of the squad for the 2008 Euros held jointly in the country with Switzerland.
Red Bull Salzburg, where he came through the academy, posted a statement on X on Thursday reading: "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."
