Coach Emma Coates Leaves England Under-23s Role to Assume Command at National Women's Soccer League's Bay FC
Marking a major shift in her coaching journey, the former England youth boss has left her position leading the Young Lionesses national team to be appointed head coach for NWSL expansion side Bay FC.
Fresh Beginnings
Her appointment follows the departure of Albertin Montoya, who was at the helm of the San Jose-based club during its debut two seasons in the premier American league. Montoya announced in September his intention to resign at the end of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC end up 13th in the 14-team standings.
“It has been a privilege to serve my time with the FA,” stated Coates. “It has helped shape me both professionally and personally. This feels like the right moment to test my abilities in a fresh challenge.”
Proven Developer
Since taking charge in 2023, Coates oversaw the England U23s through matches including a 1-0 victory 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 right-hand woman, Gemma Davies, a ex- Aston Villa manager in the WSL.
Kay Cossington, a former FA women’s technical director, highlighted Coates's qualifications: “She is both an outstanding tactician, but she also has a proven track record of nurturing talent to compete at the highest levels.”
“She is an outstanding leader of teams and environments and has the football vision we were searching for,” added Cossington.
Bay FC's Journey
The California side had a rollercoaster start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and losing in the playoffs in its debut season before struggling 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 time with us and extend our best wishes with their venture abroad. Emma, with Gemma, has played a pivotal part in strengthening the pathway between the WU23s and the senior squad.”
“Together, they have directly impacted the development of many promising talents who have gone on to become senior Lionesses,” he finished.
Lasting Legacy
After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has overseen the rise of several players to the Lionesses squad, including midfielder Lucia Kendall—who netted her first Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
An extensive process for successors to fill the roles has begun, as the FA looks to continue the growth of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the coming years.
