Emma Coates Leaves the Young Lionesses Post to Become Head Coach at NWSL's Bay FC
In a significant career move, Emma Coates has left her position leading 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 San Jose-based club during its debut two seasons in the top-flight American league. Montoya had revealed in September his intention to resign at the end of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC end up 13th in the league standings.
“It has been a privilege to serve my time with the FA,” stated Coates. “It has been instrumental in my development both in my career and as an individual. This feels like the right moment to push myself in a new environment.”
Coaching Pedigree
In her time at the helm in 2023, Coates guided 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.
Kay Cossington, a former FA women’s technical director, praised Coates's qualifications: “Coates is an outstanding tactician, 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 searching for,” added Cossington.
Bay FC's Journey
The club experienced a rollercoaster start to its NWSL existence, securing a playoff spot and suffering a postseason defeat in its inaugural campaign 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 service and extend our best wishes with their venture abroad. Emma, with Gemma, has played a crucial part in fortifying the pipeline between the young Lionesses and the first team.”
“Together, they have directly impacted the development of many promising talents who have progressed into senior Lionesses,” Step concluded.
Lasting Legacy
After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has overseen the promotion of several players to the Lionesses squad, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who recently scored her debut Lionesses goal—and forwards Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
Discussions for successors to fill the roles is now underway, to continue the growth of the WU23 program in the coming years.
