Rita Guarino​ has declared herself “really excited” about the project at West Ham after being confirmed as the club’s new head coach on Monday.

Guarino has signed a contract until 2027 with West Ham, as the Guardian reported on Sunday, replacing Rehanne Skinner, who was sacked on Thursday after two-and-a-half years in charge of the Women’s Super League side. Her first game in charge will be the trip to the champions Chelsea on 11 January, following the WSL’s winter break. The 54-year-old former Juventus head coach takes charge with her new side 11th in the table.

Guarino won four consecutive Serie A titles while in charge of Juventus, before a spell with Inter. This will be her first job in England. “I’m so happy to be joining West Ham United. It is a club with a big history and strong values that align with my own,” said the former striker, who won 99 caps for her country. “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.” West Ham’s assistant manager, Steve Kirby, who oversaw Sunday’s League Cup quarter-final loss to Manchester City, will stay on as Guarino’s assistant.

West Ham have won one and drawn two of their 11 league games this season to sit two points above bottom-placed Liverpool at the halfway stage of the campaign.