Coach Emma Coates Leaves England U23 Position to Assume Command at National Women's Soccer League's Bay FC
Embarking on a fresh professional challenge, the 34-year-old coach has left her position leading the Young Lionesses national team to assume the role of head coach for NWSL expansion side Bay FC.
A New Chapter
She takes over from Albertin Montoya, who was at the helm of the California club during its debut two seasons in the premier American league. Montoya had revealed in September his intention to depart at the end of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC finish second-bottom in the league standings.
“It has been a privilege to serve my time with the FA,” remarked Coates. “The experience has been formative both in my career and as an individual. This feels like the right moment to push myself in a different setting.”
Coaching Pedigree
During her tenure in 2023, Coates guided the England U23s through matches including a 1-0 victory over Norway in the continental competition and a high-scoring loss to the United States. Making the move alongside her to the United States is her former Lionesses staff member, Gemma Davies, a ex- Aston Villa manager in the English top division.
Bay FC's CEO, a former FA women’s technical director, spoke highly of Coates's credentials: “Coates is an excellent coach, but she also has a demonstrated history of developing players to compete at the highest levels.”
“Coates excels at leading of squads and building ethos and has the strategic outlook we were looking for,” she continued.
The Task Ahead
The club had a contrasting start to its NWSL existence, securing a playoff spot and suffering a postseason defeat in its inaugural campaign before slipping to a 13th-place finish in 2025.
The new FA women’s technical director, Gavin Step, offered thanks to the departing duo: “Our gratitude goes to Emma and Gemma for their service and wish them all the best with their new challenge. Emma, with Gemma, has played a pivotal part in bolstering the progression route between the WU23s and the senior squad.”
“Their work has directly shaped the development of many promising talents who have progressed into senior Lionesses,” he finished.
Player Progression
Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates presided over the rise of a number of players to the national team, including midfielder Lucia Kendall—who recently scored her debut Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
The search for new U23 coaching staff has already commenced, with the aim to continue the growth of the youth national team in the future.
