Emma Coates Leaves England Under-23s Role to Become Head Coach at NWSL's Bay FC
Embarking on a fresh professional challenge, the former England youth boss has resigned her post with the England WU23 national team to take over as head coach for National Women’s Soccer League franchise Bay FC.
Fresh Beginnings
Coates succeeds Albertin Montoya, who guided the California club during its first 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 end up 13th in the 14-team standings.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the FA,” commented Coates. “The experience has been formative both in my career and as an individual. I am now prepared and eager to test my abilities in a fresh challenge.”
Proven Developer
In her time at the helm in 2023, Coates managed the England U23s through matches including a 1-0 victory over Norway in the European U23 League and a 4-2 friendly defeat to the United States. She will be joined to the NWSL is her former Lionesses staff member, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the WSL.
Bay FC's CEO, a one-time Football Association technical lead, spoke highly of Coates's credentials: “Emma is not only an superb manager, but she also has a proven track record of elevating athletes to thrive domestically and internationally.”
“She is an outstanding leader of squads and building ethos and has the strategic outlook we were seeking,” she continued.
The Task Ahead
The California side experienced a contrasting start to its NWSL existence, securing a playoff spot and suffering a postseason defeat in its inaugural campaign 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 service and wish them all the best with their venture abroad. They have played a pivotal part in strengthening the pathway between the WU23s and the senior squad.”
“Together, they have directly impacted the development of many young players who have progressed into senior Lionesses,” he added.
Player Progression
After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has overseen the rise of multiple players to the national team, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who recently scored her first Lionesses goal—and forwards Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
The search for successors to fill the roles has begun, with the aim to continue the growth of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the coming years.
