Alex Manninger’s heartbreaking ultimate interview days earlier than tragic dying of ex-Arsenal star
Alex Manninger opened up about his career in a heartbreaking final interview before his tragic death on Thursday in Austria
Manninger was involved in a collision with a train(Image: Nußdorf am Haunsberg Fire Department)
Alex Manninger opened up about his career in a heartbreaking final interview just a couple of days before his tragic death.
Manninger, 48, passed away on Thursday after he was reportedly in a car accident and collided with a train involving the Salzburg local railway. According to local police, the incident happened at an unguarded level crossing.
Local media outlet Salzburg ORF claim Manninger’s car had been hit while crossing near Nussdorf am Haunsberg. It’s believed he was tended to by first responders at the scene after the car was dragged several metres, but he was unable to be saved.
Earlier this month Manninger had given a detailed interview with Gazetta Dello Sport: “It still excites me just thinking about it. I was 20 years old, I was a kid.
“Wenger wanted to bring an international dimension to the club and focus on youngsters, I was one of them. Despite my age, I felt calm in goal. I had a monster like Tony Adams in front of me. He taught me a lot.
“I only have one regret: Leaving too soon. But you know, I wanted to play.”
He turned out for the Gunners for four seasons, and was the first Austrian to turn out for Arsenal. He would return to English football with Liverpool, where he closed the book on his playing days as back-up goalkeeper to first choice Simon Mignolet.
He said: “It all started with a phone call. Jurgen knew everything about me. I’d beaten his Dortmund side with Augsburg two years earlier.
“[He said] ‘I want that goalkeeper there. That day you saved everything against us. You have to do it for me, too’.”
“I never actually played, I was 40, but leaving football and saying goodbye to the fans in front of the Kop was an amazing feeling.”
Liverpool paid tribute to him after his death: “Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former goalkeeper Alex Manninger at the age of 48.
“The Austrian 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 matchday squad on four occasions during that campaign.
“Manninger represented a host of clubs in Europe across two decades – including hometown side Red Bull Salzburg, Arsenal, Fiorentina, Juventus and FC Augsburg.”
