Alex Manninger, a former goalkeeper for the Austria national soccer team, died at 48 in a train collision.
The BBC and other British outlets said on the 16th (local time) that Manninger died after his car collided with a train at a level crossing near Salzburg, Austria, that morning while he was driving. According to Salzburg police, Manninger was alone in the car, and the train driver was not injured.
Manninger earned 33 caps for Austria and also took part in the 2008 UEFA European Championship (Euro 2008), held in his home country. He began his professional career with his hometown club Red Bull Salzburg and played for several European teams, including Siena, Juventus, and Udinese (all Italy), and Augsburg (Germany). From the 2012-2013 season for four seasons, he played for Augsburg alongside Korea national team veterans Koo Ja-cheol, Ji Dong-won, and Hong Jeong-ho. From 1997 to 2002, he appeared in 64 matches for Arsenal, serving mainly as backup goalkeeper to David Seaman.
In 2016, at age 39, Manninger signed a short-term deal with Liverpool (England) but did not make an appearance and retired the following year. Following news of his sudden death, the soccer world, including the teams he played for, is expressing condolences.
Arsenal, which awarded him a Premier League winner's medal for the 1997-1998 season even though he did not meet the appearance requirement, said on the club's social media (SNS), "Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic news of Manninger's death," adding, "We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones at this very sad time."
Juventus also posted on SNS for Manninger, who played 42 matches in place of injured first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, saying, "Today is a truly sad day," and, "Not only a great player but a person of rare virtues—humility, dedication, and exceptional professional seriousness—has left us."