Rita Guarino leaves a message to players and fans of West Ham before the game against Chelsea.

A new era at West Ham United begins under the leadership of Rita Guarino, who is preparing to face one of the biggest challenges of her career. This weekend, the Italian will make her debut in charge of the team in the Barclays Women’s Super League, where she will go head-to-head with the defending champions, Chelsea. The match promises to be electrifying and, without a doubt, a rigorous test for the new coach, who took over following the departure of Rehanne Skinner before Christmas.

In an interview with the media, Guarino made it clear that her focus is on her own team rather than worrying about the strength of the opponent. “The fans are on the same wavelength as we are,” she stated. “Because everyone here wants to achieve a result.” The new coach expressed unwavering confidence in the players’ dedication during training, stating that she has seen a fighting spirit and a genuine desire to improve in every session. “I can say that with every minute of training, I see players who want to evolve, who want to fight for this shirt – and I can assure you that we try, every second, to give our best.”

With West Ham currently sitting second from bottom in the table, having accumulated only five points and one victory in this campaign, Guarino emphasized the importance of hard work and unity. “The message I’ve conveyed to my players is, first and foremost, that we need to work and create an environment that takes us in the same direction,” she explained. “We have a goal – it’s very important for an organization or a team to have a goal, and it’s essential that we are aligned in that. Step by step, we will try to improve our game, our style of play.”

In addition, Guarino announced on Thursday the arrival of French international Estelle Cascarino, on loan from Juventus until the end of the season. The coach described Cascarino as a “proven winner” and highlighted her exceptional qualities. “She has great quality in both feet. She has experience. She knows how to read the game. Therefore, I believe she can add quality to the team.”

With a return to winning ways in mind and a determination to change the team’s fortunes, Guarino is ready to take West Ham to new heights. The clash against Chelsea will be a first major test, and the anticipation is palpable. Fans are eagerly waiting to see how this new era will unfold and whether Guarino’s message of determination and fight will resonate in her players’ performances on the pitch.