West Ham women have appointed Rita Guarino as head coach after Rehanne Skinner was sacked.
Skinner was relieved of her duties last week with the Hammers sitting second-bottom in the WSL, having taken just five points from 11 league matches.
Guarino, a four-time Serie A Femminile champion with Juventus, will be tasked with keeping relegation-threatened West Ham in the top flight this season. It will be her first job outside of her home country, Italy.
"I’m so happy to be joining West Ham United”, said the 54-year-old after signing.
“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.”
She continued, explaining her plan for the side: "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."
Guarino was something of a journeywoman during her 21-year playing career, representing Juventus, Torino and Lazio and spending a brief stint in the United States.
A prolific striker, she also racked up 35 goals in 99 caps for Italy, whose Under-17 side she later managed.
She has been out of work since the end of the 2023-24 season, when her Inter Milan contract was mutually terminated following a disappointing campaign.
