Tragedy has struck the football world as former Arsenal goalkeeper, Alex Manninger, has lost his life in a road accident, as confirmed by his first club, Red Bull Salzburg. Manninger, aged 48, 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 will be remembered fondly.
Throughout his career, Manninger made 64 appearances for the Gunners between 1997 and 2002 before moving on to play for several prominent clubs, including Fiorentina, Siena, and Juventus in Serie A, Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga, and FA Augsburg in the German Bundesliga. Although his stint at Liverpool did not yield any appearances, his contributions to the sport are undeniable. Arsenal has expressed their deep sadness and shock at the news, stating, "The entire Arsenal family is devastated by the tragic loss of our former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time." Manninger also earned 33 caps for the Austrian national team and was part of the squad for the 2008 European Championship co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland.
Red Bull Salzburg, the club where Manninger's journey began, has paid tribute to their former goalkeeper, saying, "We are mourning the loss of our former goalkeeper, Alexander Manninger, who tragically passed away in a traffic accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. May he rest in peace."