Prolific striker to serial title-winning Head Coach | The journey of Rita Guarino
Few figures in European women’s football bring the depth of experience that Rita Guarino carries, from prolific Serie A striker to serial title-winning head coach.
Playing Career
Guarino enjoyed an accomplished playing career as a striker, representing some of Italy’s most prominent clubs including Juventus FC., Torino FC., A.C. Reggiana, A.C.F. Fiammamonza, Torres Calcio Femminile, S.S. Lazio Women 2015 and Foroni Verona in Serie A. She also gained experience abroad with Maryland Pride in the W-League.
On the international stage, Guarino represented the Italy women's national football team, competing at the 1991 and 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cups, as well as the 1993, 1997 and 2001 European Championships. She scored Italy’s final goal at the 1991 World Cup, forcing extra time in a dramatic quarter-final against Norway, and found the net again against the same opponents at Euro 2001, moments that underlined her composure on the biggest stage.
Transition into Management
Guarino’s understanding of the game translated seamlessly into coaching. From 2015, she worked within Italy’s youth system as assistant manager of the Under-17 national side while also serving as Manager of Football Individual Training System, focusing on player development and pathway progression.
Her managerial breakthrough came in June 2017, when she was appointed head coach of Juventus Women FC. In the club’s debut Serie A Femminile season, she guided Juventus to their first ever Scudetto, winning a dramatic title decider on penalties. What followed was a period of domestic dominance: four consecutive league titles, two Supercoppa Italiana triumphs and a Coppa Italia, including a remarkable 2020–21 campaign in which Juventus won all 22 league matches, a perfect season that cemented her status as one of Italy’s leading coaches.
After leaving Juventus in 2021, Guarino was appointed head coach of Inter Milan Women FC, continuing her work at the top level of Italian football before departing the club by mutual consent in June 2024.
West Ham United
In December 2025, Guarino took the next step in her career, joining West Ham United Women FC. as head coach in the Barclays Women's Super League (BWSL), signing an 18-month contract.
Since her arrival, West Ham have shown resilience and signs of growth. The Hammers currently sit 10th in the Barclays Women’s Super League table, but recently produced one of their standout performances of the season, a dramatic 3–2 comeback victory over
Brighton & Hove Albion Women, recovering from 2–0 down to secure their third league win of the BWSL campaign. The result reflected the competitive edge and belief Guarino is working to install within the squad.Renowned for tactical organisation, competitive intensity and a strong developmental focus, Guarino combines elite playing experience with a proven record of success from the touchline. Her presence in the Barclays Women’s Super League adds further international pedigree to a competition continuing to attract some of the game’s most respected figures.