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Former Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper Alex Manninger, who also played for Austria, has died in a road accident on Thursday aged 48, the Austrian Football Association said.
Austrian newspaper The Kronen Zeitung and other media reported that Manninger’s vehicle was hit by a passenger train at an unrestricted crossing near the city of Salzburg.
Manninger made 33 appearances for Austria and played for Arsenal, mainly as a reserve, between 1997 and 2001. He ended his career at Liverpool (2016-17).
In Italy, he played for Fiorentina, Torino, Bologna, Siena, Udinese and Juventus.
“Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador of Austrian football on and off the pitch,” said OEFB Sporting Director Peter Schoettel in a statement.
“With his international career, he has set standards and inspired and shaped many young goalkeepers. His professionalism, his calmness and his reliability made him an important part of his teams and also of the national team.”
Arsenal said everyone at the club was “shocked and deeply saddened” by Manninger’s tragic passing.
“All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time,” the club said.
Liverpool said Manninger “arrived at Anfield in July 2016 to spend the final season of his lengthy playing career as a Red”.
“Brought in as an experienced back-up goalkeeper, he featured in two friendly fixtures and was named in the match day squad on four occasions during that campaign,” it said in a statement.
Juventus said it was a “very sad day” as the club had “lost not only a great athlete, but a man of rare values: humility, dedication, and an exceptional sense of professionalism”.
“Alex Manninger will be remembered for the example he set, on and off the pitch. Juventus expresses its deepest condolences and stands close to his family in this moment of grief,” it said.
