England's Emma Coates Departs the Young Lionesses Role to Become Head Coach at NWSL's Bay FC
In a significant career move, the 34-year-old coach has left her position leading the England WU23 national team to assume the role of head coach for NWSL expansion side Bay FC.
Fresh Beginnings
She takes over from Albertin Montoya, who led the San Jose-based club during its debut two seasons in the top-flight American league. Montoya had revealed in September his intention to resign at the end of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC finish second-bottom in the 14-team standings.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the FA,” commented Coates. “The experience has been formative both professionally and personally. This feels like the right moment to push myself in a different setting.”
Track Record of Success
In her time at the helm in 2023, Coates oversaw the England U23s through fixtures including a 1-0 victory over Norway in the European U23 League and a high-scoring loss to the United States. She will be joined to the United States is her right-hand woman, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the English top division.
The club's chief executive, a one-time Football Association technical lead, spoke highly of Coates's abilities: “Emma is not only an superb manager, but she also has a strong record of elevating athletes to compete at the highest levels.”
“She is an outstanding leader of squads and building ethos and has the strategic outlook we were seeking,” the CEO stated.
The Task Ahead
Bay FC experienced a contrasting start to its NWSL existence, securing a playoff spot and losing in the playoffs in its inaugural campaign before slipping to a near-bottom placement in 2025.
Gavin Step, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the departing duo: “We thank Emma and Gemma for their service and wish them all the best with their next chapter. They have played a pivotal part in strengthening the pathway between the young Lionesses and the first team.”
“Their work has directly impacted the development of many promising talents who have gone on to become senior Lionesses,” Step concluded.
Player Progression
Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates presided over the promotion of several players to the national team, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who netted her first Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
Discussions for new U23 coaching staff is now underway, to continue the progress of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the seasons ahead.
