Emma Coates Exits England U23 Position to Become Head Coach at National Women's Soccer League's Bay FC
Marking a major shift in her coaching journey, Emma Coates 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
Coates succeeds Albertin Montoya, who was at the helm of the San Jose-based club during its first two seasons in the premier American league. Montoya announced in September his intention to resign at the conclusion 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 been instrumental in my development both in my career and as an individual. I am now prepared and eager to challenge myself in a new environment.”
Track Record of Success
In her time at the helm 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. She will be joined to America is her England assistant, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the Women’s Super League.
The club's chief executive, a former FA women’s technical director, praised Coates's abilities: “Coates is an superb manager, but she also has a demonstrated history of elevating athletes to succeed on the biggest stages.”
“She is an outstanding leader of teams and environments and has the football vision we were searching for,” she continued.
Bay FC's Journey
The club had a mixed start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and losing in the playoffs in its first year before slipping to a 13th-place finish in 2025.
The Football Association's new technical lead, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the departing duo: “Our gratitude goes to Emma and Gemma for their time with us and extend our best wishes with their new challenge. Emma, with Gemma, has played a crucial part in bolstering the progression route between the young Lionesses and the first team.”
“Together, they have directly impacted the development of many promising talents who have progressed into senior Lionesses,” he added.
Player Progression
After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates presided over the advancement of several players to the Lionesses squad, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who netted her first Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
The search for new U23 coaching staff has already commenced, as the FA looks to continue the development of the youth national team in the coming years.