The Women’s Super League returns this weekend with a full fixture list, and one team that will want to start 2026 with a bang is West Ham United. Currently sitting second from bottom with just five points from 11 games, only propped up by Liverpool, they will want an instant return from their new manager.
Rita Guarino comes into the WSL spotlight with a huge reputation as both a player and a manager in her home country Italy, and if she can give any of her wealth of experience to her struggling Eats London team, they could start seeing improved performances and results.
Huge first game
She will find out just how hard and competitive the WSL is when she takes charge of her first game with the Hammers, as she takes them to Kingsmeadow Stadium to play the formidable Chelsea Women’s team.
The Blues have been off the pace in recent games, but are more than capable of putting a run together as they aim to retain their title.
Title dreams are a long way off for Guarino, but she does have those under her belt in Italy with four consecutive Serie A Femminile titles, and a Coppa Italia thrown in for good measure with Juventus.
This new challenge though will see one of survival before trying to build a team worthy of challenging the top spots in English football.
Straight into the spotlight
She takes over from Rehanne Skinner, who was relieved of her duties on December 18 after the poor start. Guarino was appointed just four days later, and has had this period of downtime over the festive period to get used to her new surroundings.
“I’m so happy to be joining West Ham. It is a club with a big history and strong values that align with my own. 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.”
💬 “It’s very important that you know my door is always open for you.”
An all-access pass to Rita Guarino’s first day at Chadwell Heath 🎫👇
— West Ham United Women (@westhamwomen) January 3, 2026
The 54-year-old racked up 99 appearances for her country in an illustrious career, and after her spell in charge at Juventus, moved onto Inter Milan, but after a poor 45% win percentage, was let go in June 2024.
Keeping West Ham up will be seen as a huge marker in this new chapter, and with just an 18-month contract, Guarino will have to impress now, and then during the summer if she is to keep her well-earned reputation intact.
Make no doubt she will demand much more from her players, and should they get a positive reaction from the dugout this coming Sunday, and even take a point, then this could be the best move of the season so far by any team.