Ex-Inter boss turns hero and saves two girls from drowning

While vacationing with his family on a beach in Puglia, Italy, Andrea Stramaccioni, former Inter Milan and Udinese manager, noticed two teenage girls aged 17 and 19 struggling in rough waves. A lifeguard was already in the water but needed help, as he couldn’t rescue both girls alone. Without hesitation, Stramaccioni ran into the sea to assist. He swam toward the older girl, who was frightened but able to stay afloat after he calmed her down. He guided her toward safety while the lifeguard worked to save the younger girl, who was in a worse condition and showing signs of shock.

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Once the older girl was safe, Stramaccioni quickly turned back to help the second girl. She had taken in a lot of water, kept sinking under the surface, and was panicking, which made the situation extremely dangerous. Stramaccioni admitted to feeling real fear for both their lives and his own. Despite the risk, he stayed with her until they were both rescued near the rocks, aided by a rescue boat and ropes thrown from the shore.

Stramaccioni later shared the intense details, emphasizing that he acted instinctively and out of a sense of duty. He downplayed his bravery, saying he’s not a hero and that anyone with the right physical and mental state would’ve done the same. He described feeling compelled to act, thinking about how he’d want someone to protect his own family in such a moment. At one point, his own child even asked him, “Dad, what if you died?”

His actions, however, did not go unnoticed. The Italian Coast Guard honored him with a symbolic shirt as a gesture of appreciation. Stramaccioni’s humility and courage have earned him widespread admiration, not just as a former football coach but as a compassionate human being. Though he’s currently without a club, his name is now linked to more than just football tactics it’s a reminder of how instinct and empathy can make a life-saving difference.

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