Tragedy has struck the football community with the news of former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger's untimely death in a road accident, as confirmed by his first club, Red Bull Salzburg. During his illustrious career, Manninger played a pivotal role in Arsenal's double-winning season of 1997/98, filling in for the injured David Seaman and making seven crucial appearances in the Premier League. His penalty-saving heroics in the FA Cup semi-final shootout against West Ham remain etched in the memories of Arsenal fans.
Manninger's six-year stint with the Gunners, from 1997 to 2002, yielded 64 appearances. He later went on to ply his trade in Serie A with clubs like Fiorentina, Siena, and Juventus, as well as the Austrian Bundesliga with Red Bull Salzburg and the German Bundesliga with Augsburg.
Although his career concluded at Liverpool, he did not make an appearance for the Reds. Arsenal released a statement expressing their shock and sadness at the news, saying: "The entire Arsenal family is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger. Our thoughts and condolences are with his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time." Manninger also earned 33 international caps for Austria and was part of the national squad that participated in the 2008 European Championship, co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland. Red Bull Salzburg, the club where Manninger's journey began, paid tribute to their former goalkeeper on social media, stating: "We are mourning the loss of our former goalkeeper, Alexander Manninger, who tragically passed away in a traffic accident.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends. May he rest in peace."