Emma Coates Leaves England U23 Role to Assume Command 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 expansion side Bay FC.
Fresh Beginnings
Her appointment follows the departure of Albertin Montoya, who guided the San Jose-based club during its debut two seasons in the top-flight American league. Montoya had revealed in September his intention to depart at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC end up 13th in the 14-team standings.
“My time with the FA has been incredible my time with the FA,” stated Coates. “The experience has been formative 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 1-0 victory over Norway in the continental competition and a 4-2 friendly defeat 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 former FA women’s technical director, praised Coates's abilities: “Emma is not only an excellent coach, but she also has a proven track record of developing players to thrive domestically and internationally.”
“She is an outstanding leader of squads and building ethos and has the football vision we were looking for,” the CEO stated.
The Task Ahead
The California side had a rollercoaster start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and suffering a postseason defeat in its first year before struggling to a 13th-place finish in 2025.
The new FA women’s technical director, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the outgoing coaches: “We thank Emma and Gemma for their contributions and extend our best wishes with their new challenge. They have played a crucial part in strengthening the pathway between the WU23s and the senior squad.”
“Together, they have directly shaped the development of many young players who have gone on to become senior Lionesses,” he added.
Player Progression
Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has been integral to the advancement of multiple players to the England senior side, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who netted her first Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
The search for successors to fill the roles has already commenced, to continue the growth of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the future.
