England's Emma Coates Exits England Under-23s Position to Take Helm at NWSL's Bay FC
Marking a major shift in her coaching journey, Emma Coates has stepped down from the England Women’s Under-23 national team to assume the role of head coach for NWSL expansion side Bay FC.
Transition Stateside
Coates succeeds Albertin Montoya, who guided the California club during its first two seasons in the top-flight American league. Montoya stated in September his intention to resign at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC finish second-bottom in the league standings.
“It has been a privilege to serve my time with the FA,” commented Coates. “It has helped shape me both on and off the pitch. Now, I feel ready and excited to push myself in a new environment.”
Coaching Pedigree
In her time at the helm in 2023, Coates managed the England U23s through matches including a narrow win over Norway in the European U23 League and a 4-2 friendly defeat to the United States. Accompanying her to the NWSL is her former Lionesses staff member, 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 qualifications: “Coates is an excellent coach, but she also has a strong record of developing players to succeed on the biggest stages.”
“Her leadership qualities are exceptional of teams and environments and has the strategic outlook we were looking for,” the CEO stated.
The Task Ahead
The California side experienced a contrasting start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and losing in the playoffs in its debut season before struggling 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 contributions and wish them all the best with their venture abroad. Emma, with Gemma, has played a key role in strengthening the pathway between the WU23s and the senior squad.”
“Together, they have directly impacted the development of many young players who have gone on to become senior Lionesses,” he finished.
Lasting Legacy
After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has been integral to the rise of multiple players to the Lionesses squad, including midfielder Lucia Kendall—who netted her first Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
An extensive process for their replacements has begun, as the FA looks to continue the progress of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the future.
