🔗 Share this article Emma Coates Departs England Under-23s Role to Take Helm at National Women's Soccer League's Bay FC Embarking on a fresh professional challenge, Emma Coates has stepped down from the Young Lionesses national team to assume the role of head coach for NWSL expansion side Bay FC. Transition Stateside Coates succeeds Albertin Montoya, who was at the helm of the San Jose-based club during its debut two seasons in the top-flight American league. Montoya announced in September his intention to depart at the end of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC end up 13th in the 14-team standings. “It has been a privilege to serve my time with the FA,” commented Coates. “The experience has been formative both on and off the pitch. Now, I feel ready and excited to test my abilities in a fresh challenge.” Track Record of Success During her tenure in 2023, Coates oversaw the England U23s through fixtures including a narrow win over Norway in the European U23 League and a high-scoring loss to the United States. She will be joined to America is her right-hand woman, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the WSL. Bay FC's CEO, a former FA women’s technical director, praised Coates's abilities: “Coates is an excellent coach, but she also has a strong record of nurturing talent to succeed on the biggest stages.” “She is an outstanding leader of people and culture and has the tactical philosophy we were seeking,” added Cossington. The Task Ahead Bay FC experienced a mixed start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and losing in the playoffs in its debut season before slipping to a 13th-place finish in 2025. The new FA women’s technical director, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the departing duo: “We thank Emma and Gemma for their contributions 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 influenced the development of many promising talents who have progressed into senior Lionesses,” he added. Lasting Legacy Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has been integral to the rise of multiple players to the national team, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who netted her first Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones. An extensive process for new U23 coaching staff has already commenced, to continue the growth of the youth national team in the coming years.