Rita Guarino appointed as West Ham United head coach | OneFootball

Rita Guarino (West Ham United FC)

West Ham United have confirmed the appointment of Rita Guarino as head coach.

The experienced Italian has signed an 18-month contract with the Hammers.

It follows the departure of former head coach Rehanne Skinner on Thursday.

She has previously coached Italy under-17s, Inter, and Juventus, leading them to four league titles, two Supercoppa titles and one Coppa Italia over the course of four years.

The 54-year-old was also a fine player in her own time on the pitch, receiving 99 caps as a striker for Italy.

Rita Guarino: I am proud to be at West Ham

“I’m so happy to be joining West Ham United,” she told West Ham TV. “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.

“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.

“I’m proud to be here and I’m looking forward to the chapter ahead in the best league in the world.”

West Ham: their first match of 2026

Guarino will be assisted by Steve Kirby, who was also Rehanne Skinner’s assistant, and who took charge of the team on Sunday when they faced Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the Subway Women’s League Cup.

The club says that a further announcement on her coaching staff will be made in due course.

Guarino will take charge of her first match after the winter break on Sunday, 11th January – but it will be a tough debut as her team will face defending champions Chelsea in the Barclays Women’s Super League.