Coach Emma Coates Leaves the Young Lionesses Post to Become Head Coach at National Women's Soccer League's Bay FC

Embarking on a fresh professional challenge, the 34-year-old coach has resigned her post with the England WU23 national team to assume the role of head coach for National Women’s Soccer League expansion side Bay FC.

Fresh Beginnings

Her appointment follows the departure of Albertin Montoya, who guided the San Jose-based club during its first two seasons in the top-flight American league. Montoya had revealed in September his intention to step down at the end of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC finish second-bottom in the league standings.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the FA,” stated Coates. “The experience has been formative both in my career and as an individual. I am now prepared and eager to push myself in a fresh challenge.”

Proven Developer

In her time at the helm in 2023, Coates managed the England U23s through matches including a narrow win over Norway in the continental competition and a 4-2 friendly defeat to the United States. Accompanying her to the United States is her right-hand woman, Gemma Davies, a ex- Aston Villa manager in the WSL.

The club's chief executive, a former FA women’s technical director, highlighted Coates's qualifications: “Coates is an superb manager, but she also has a strong record of elevating athletes to compete at the highest levels.”

“Coates excels at leading of squads and building ethos and has the football vision we were seeking,” she continued.

The Task Ahead

Bay FC had a rollercoaster start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and suffering a postseason defeat in its first year before facing difficulties to a near-bottom placement in 2025.

The new FA women’s technical director, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the departing duo: “Our gratitude goes to Emma and Gemma for their time with us and wish them all the best with their venture abroad. They have played a crucial 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.

Player Progression

Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has overseen the advancement of multiple players to the Lionesses squad, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who recently scored her first Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.

An extensive process for new U23 coaching staff has begun, to continue the growth of the youth national team in the seasons ahead.