The West Ham United women’s team has appointed Rita Guarino as the head coach following the team’s declining performance in the ongoing Women’s Super League (WSL). The team is currently with one victory in 11 league matches played so far. Guarino will replace Rehanne Skinner, who was in charge of the team for two-and-a-half years and was dismissed from the position on Thursday.
The 54-year-old is a former Italian striker who has previously coached Juventus from 2017 to 2021 and led them to four straight Serie A titles. Following this, she then joined Inter Milan as their head coach till June 2024.
Guarino’s contract will start effective from January 11, 2026, after WSL’s winter break, where they will face Chelsea. She will remain under contract with Ham United until the 2027 season. The Hams are currently placed at no. 11 with five points and above the bottom-placed Liverpool, who are at no. 12 with three points only. The bottom team to finish at the end will go to a relegation playoff.
“I want to build a team that is organised” – says Guarino on joining West Ham United
Following her appointment on Monday, December 22, 2025, Rita Guarino expressed her excitement about starting her tenure as the new head coach of the West Ham United women’s club. This is also the first time that Guraino is leading an England team.
She said, “I’m so happy to be joining West Ham United. It is a club with a big history and strong values that align with my own. I’ve spoken with the board and I’m really excited by the project here. There is a lot of talent and experience in the team, and I want to support the girls to develop as individuals but also as a collective.”
Guarino will also be joined by West Ham’s assistant manager, Steve Kirby, who will oversee the workings with her as the assistant. Steve was in presence of Ham United’s loss in the League Cup quater-finals match against Manchester City held on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
“I want to build a team that is organised, aggressive with the ball and that tries to recognise and use space. The mentality of the team – the togetherness and hard work – is the most important thing,” she also added.
