England's Emma Coates Leaves the Young Lionesses Post to Become Head Coach at National Women's Soccer League's Bay FC
In a significant career move, the 34-year-old coach has left her position leading the England WU23 national team to be appointed head coach for National Women’s Soccer League franchise Bay FC.
A New Chapter
Her appointment follows the departure of Albertin Montoya, who guided the San Jose-based club during its inaugural two seasons in the top-flight American league. Montoya announced in September his intention to step down at the end of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC occupy a lowly 13th place in the 14-team standings.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the FA,” remarked Coates. “The experience has been formative both on and off the pitch. This feels like the right moment to test my abilities in a fresh challenge.”
Coaching Pedigree
Since taking charge in 2023, Coates oversaw the England U23s through fixtures including a 1-0 victory over Norway in the continental competition and a high-scoring loss to the United States. She will be joined to the NWSL is her England assistant, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the Women’s Super League.
The club's chief executive, a former FA women’s technical director, spoke highly of Coates's credentials: “She is both an excellent coach, but she also has a strong record of elevating athletes to compete at the highest levels.”
“Coates excels at leading of people and culture and has the football vision we were seeking,” the CEO stated.
The Task Ahead
The California side had a rollercoaster start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and losing in the playoffs in its first year before slipping to a 13th-place finish in 2025.
The new FA women’s technical director, Gavin Step, offered thanks to the departing duo: “We thank Emma and Gemma for their time with us and extend our best wishes with their next chapter. Emma, with Gemma, has played a key role in bolstering the progression route between the WU23s and the senior squad.”
“Together, they have directly influenced the development of many promising talents who have progressed into senior Lionesses,” he finished.
Pathway Success
Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates presided over the advancement of a number of players to the Lionesses squad, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who netted her first Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
The search for their replacements has begun, to continue the progress of the youth national team in the seasons ahead.
