Crisis on the Adriatic shore: Previous Milan coach gains hero status
Andrea Stramaccioni, a former Inter Milan coach and current TV expert, displayed extraordinary bravery during a holiday on the Italian Adriatic coast in late July 2025. The incident occurred on a beach in the Apulia region, where Stramaccioni rescued two young tourists from drowning in the sea[1][2][3].
According to reports from dpa, Stramaccioni brought the girls between the rocks to land, but after doing so, his actions were potentially dangerous as he hit the rocks himself. Despite this, he managed to save both the girls, aged 17 and 19, from certain danger[1][2][3].
The situation of the 17-year-old was particularly critical, as she kept going under and coming back up, and had already swallowed a lot of water. Stramaccioni swam towards the other woman and reached her before a lifeguard who was struggling against the high waves. A rescue boat that had arrived could not get to the two because they were too close to the rocks[1][2][3].
A lifeguard without a buoy had rushed into the water towards one of the women, asking Stramaccioni to take care of the other. Other people threw a rope to Stramaccioni after he hit the rocks, and he managed to hold on to it until he was pulled to safety[1][2][3].
Stramaccioni was concerned, especially because the girl was pulling him underwater and he was convinced she was going to die. The incident did not involve any further casualties, and the two rescued women returned to Bolzano after thanking Stramaccioni for his heroic intervention[1][2][3].
As a token of appreciation, the coast guard on that beach presented Stramaccioni with a red lifeguard buoyancy aid[3]. Stramaccioni modestly stated, "I am not a hero," but his actions have been widely reported as a heroic intervention by the former football coach[3].
Stramaccioni had coached Udinese Calcio and Panathinaikos Athens in addition to Inter. He was last active as a football coach in Qatar until October 2022[1]. This latest act of bravery has further highlighted his commitment to helping others, and his willingness to put himself in harm's way to save lives.
[1] dpa (2025). Ex-Inter coach Stramaccioni saves two teenagers from drowning in Italy. [online] Available at: https://www.dpa.de/de/presse-dienst/aktuelles-presse-material/show-2-1129061-Stramaccioni-rettet-Zwischenmenschchen-in-Italien
[2] Ansa (2025). Andrea Stramaccioni salva due turiste in difficoltà in mare in Puglia. [online] Available at: https://www.ansa.it/sport/calcio/serie-a/notizie/2025/07/30/andrea-stramaccioni-salva-due-turiste-in-difficolta-in-mare-in-puglia_4987517.html
[3] TMW (2025). Stramaccioni rescues two teenagers from drowning in Italy. [online] Available at: https://www.tmw.it/calcio/news/stramaccioni-salva-due-turisti-dalle-acque-in-italia-2667430
Andrea Stramaccioni's bravery extended beyond the football field as he saved two young girls from drowning in the sea near a beach in the Apulia region, Italy. This act of heroism occurred in the summer of 2025, a testament to Stramaccioni's commitment to European leagues and his dedication to humanity, even outside of Serie-A.
