Coach Emma Coates Exits England Under-23s Position to Assume Command at National Women's Soccer League's Bay FC
Marking a major shift in her coaching journey, the 34-year-old coach has left her position leading the England Women’s Under-23 national team to be appointed head coach for NWSL expansion side Bay FC.
A New Chapter
Her appointment follows the departure of Albertin Montoya, who guided the San Jose-based club during its debut two seasons in the premier American league. Montoya had revealed in September his intention to depart at the end of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC occupy a lowly 13th place in the 14-team standings.
“My time with the FA has been incredible my time with the FA,” commented Coates. “The experience has been formative both professionally and personally. Now, I feel ready and excited to test my abilities in a new environment.”
Proven Developer
During her tenure in 2023, Coates managed the England U23s through matches 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 NWSL is her right-hand woman, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the Women’s Super League.
Kay Cossington, a one-time Football Association technical lead, spoke highly of Coates's credentials: “Emma is not only an excellent coach, but she also has a strong record of nurturing talent to compete at the highest levels.”
“She is an outstanding leader of people and culture and has the football vision we were seeking,” she continued.
Bay FC's Journey
The club had a mixed start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and losing in the playoffs in its inaugural campaign before slipping to a near-bottom placement in 2025.
The new FA women’s technical director, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the outgoing coaches: “Our gratitude goes to Emma and Gemma for their time with us and wish them all the best with their new challenge. They have played a pivotal part in fortifying the pipeline between the WU23s and the senior squad.”
“Their work has directly shaped the development of many promising talents who have gone on to become senior Lionesses,” he added.
Player Progression
After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has been integral to the rise of multiple players to the England senior side, including midfielder Lucia Kendall—who recently scored her first Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
An extensive process for successors to fill the roles has begun, with the aim to continue the development of the WU23 program in the future.
