Northern Ireland v Austria

MEMORIES OF A TOUGH, PHYSICAL BATTLE Former Austrian international goalkeeper Alex Manninger looks back on his career and in particular a memorable 3-3 draw with Northern Ireland at Windsor Park back in 2004. On October 13 in 2004 Salzburg-born goalkeeper Alex Manninger was on the receiving end of arguably one of the greatest international goals ever witnessed at Windsor Park. There were 35 minutes on the clock in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Northern Ireland and Austria - with the visitors leading 1-0 at the time - when Jeff Whitley played a pass to David Healy. The ball bobbled up off the surface so the then Leeds United striker took a touch before unleashing an unstoppable left-footed strike from some 25 yards that left Manninger rooted to the spot. “I didn’t remember that goal until you showed me a video clip,” laughs the former Austrian number one. “What a strike it was… one of those that gave the goalkeeper absolutely no chance. The match as a whole - it finished in a 3-3 draw - was a tough, physical battle. I can remember getting an injury at the end of that match in the scramble that saw Northern Ireland equalise.” Manninger retired from playing last summer at the age of 40, having represented no less than 14 clubs in five different countries during his professional career. He also won 33 caps for Austria between 1999 and 2009. Having signed for Arsenal in 1997, he became the first Austrian to ply his trade in the English Premier League and won both the title and the FA Cup in his debut season with the Gunners. Manninger later turned out for the likes of Fiorentina (loan), Espanyol, Red Bull Salzburg and Juventus before announcing his retirement at the end of the 2016-17 campaign, which he spent with Liverpool.

“My philosophy throughout my career was to test myself at the highest level possible and to join clubs where I could win things,” reflects Manninger. “To win a Premier League winner’s medal in my first season at Arsenal was incredible. Nearly 15 years on from that I got to experience another title success with Juventus (in 2011-12) albeit it not playing as many matches. “It felt fitting to end my career back in England with another great club in Liverpool. It felt like it was meant to be for me having been the first ever Austrian to play in the Premier League.” Since retiring from playing Manninger has returned to his native Austria and resumed his career as a professional joiner – having first entered the industry as an apprentice prior to the start of his football career. He is also involved in property development and is on the board of his local golf club, Salzkammergut Bad Ischl. “I continue to watch football and it’s been great to see Austria’s progression in recent years and their qualification for UEFA Euro 2016, of course,” says Manninger. “I’m excited to see what’s next for this team. Tremendous credit really has to go to the last two managers of the Austrian national team especially. Marcel Koller and now Franco Foda have developed Austria into a really competitive international team.” Words Andy Greeves

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