Guarino focused on the process as West Ham United look to build in 2026/2027 | OneFootball

West Ham United head coach Rita Guarino says that she is focused on the process as her side look to build on the foundations that were put down in the second half of last season.

The Hammers finished the 2025/2026 campaign in 10th position in the Barclays Women’s Super League table. The East Londoners struggled in the first half of the season but Guarino’s arrival in December sparked an upturn in results.

When speaking to the media ahead of this weekend’s opening Barclays Women’s Super League fixture at Tottenham Hotspur, Guarino said that the focus is on the process and performing to a high level this season.

“We are a good team, we have lost some players and have signed some new players,” Guarino said. “It’s not about what we want to achieve in the mid-term, it’s about the way that we want to improve this team during this season. It’s about performing the best that we can and playing in the best way possible. 

“It’s important to stay in the league and I know that this team can compete with everyone. When you can compete, it means that you can perform at the highest level possible. For me, the focus with the team is on the process.”

West Ham United have enjoyed a fruitful summer in the transfer market with several experienced players making the move to The Chigwell Construction Stadium. Guarino is happy with the club’s transfer business.

She said “We have new players in the squad and I’m very happy from a personal point of view because they share the values of the club and philosophy of the team. 

“I am very happy that they have easily integrated into the team alongside those players who have been here for many years. The feeling and connection with the other players has been very good , so I am very happy about this.”

A derby against Spurs is never an easy assignment and Guarino provided her thoughts on the opposition.

She said “I think they are a very good team, a very competitive team. I think they have the ambition to be at the very top end of the table. They have a solid identity, they play very good football. They have some new players from last year and a large squad.”

West Ham United’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture at Tottenham Hotspur kicks-off at 12pm on Sunday afternoon.