🔗 Share this article Emma Coates Exits England U23 Post to Become Head Coach at NWSL's Bay FC Marking a major shift in her coaching journey, Emma Coates has left her position leading the Young Lionesses national team to take over as head coach for NWSL franchise Bay FC. Fresh Beginnings Her appointment follows the departure of Albertin Montoya, who led the California club during its inaugural two seasons in the premier 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,” commented Coates. “The experience has been formative both professionally and personally. 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 fixtures including a narrow win over Norway in the continental competition and a 4-2 friendly defeat to the United States. Accompanying her to America is her England assistant, Gemma Davies, a ex- Aston Villa manager in the WSL. The club's chief executive, a former FA women’s technical director, praised Coates's credentials: “Coates is an superb manager, but she also has a demonstrated history of nurturing talent to thrive domestically and internationally.” “Coates excels at leading 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 suffering a postseason defeat in its first year before struggling 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 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,” Step concluded. Lasting Legacy After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has been integral to the advancement of multiple players to the national team, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who recently scored her debut Lionesses goal—and forwards Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones. An extensive process for successors to fill the roles has already commenced, as the FA looks to continue the growth of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the future.