Emma Coates Exits England Under-23s Position to Assume Command at NWSL's Bay FC
Embarking on a fresh professional challenge, the 34-year-old coach has stepped down from the Young Lionesses national team to be appointed head coach for National Women’s Soccer League expansion side Bay FC.
A New Chapter
She takes over from Albertin Montoya, who guided the San Jose-based club during its inaugural two seasons in the premier American league. Montoya stated in September his intention to resign at the end of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC occupy a lowly 13th place in the 14-team standings.
“My time with the FA has been incredible my time with the FA,” commented Coates. “The experience has been formative both in my career and as an individual. This feels like the right moment to test my abilities in a different setting.”
Track Record of Success
During her tenure in 2023, Coates guided the England U23s through fixtures including a narrow win over Norway in the continental competition and a 4-2 friendly defeat to the United States. Making the move alongside her to the NWSL is her England assistant, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the Women’s Super League.
The club's chief executive, a one-time Football Association technical lead, praised Coates's credentials: “Coates is an outstanding tactician, but she also has a strong record of elevating athletes to succeed on the biggest stages.”
“She is an outstanding leader of squads and building ethos and has the football vision we were looking for,” she continued.
Bay FC's Journey
The California side had a contrasting start to its NWSL existence, securing a playoff spot and losing in the playoffs in its first year before slipping to a 13th-place finish in 2025.
The new FA women’s technical director, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the outgoing coaches: “We thank Emma and Gemma for their contributions and wish them all the best with their next chapter. Emma, with Gemma, has played a key role in strengthening the pathway between the WU23s and the senior squad.”
“Together, they have directly impacted the development of many young players who have progressed into senior Lionesses,” he finished.
Pathway Success
Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates presided over the advancement of several players to the national team, including midfielder Lucia Kendall—who netted her debut Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
The search for new U23 coaching staff has already commenced, to continue the growth of the WU23 program in the coming years.
