🔗 Share this article England's Emma Coates Leaves England Under-23s Post to Assume Command at National Women's Soccer League's Bay FC Marking a major shift in her coaching journey, Emma Coates has left her position leading the Young Lionesses national team to take over as head coach for NWSL expansion side Bay FC. Fresh Beginnings Coates succeeds Albertin Montoya, who was at the helm of the San Jose-based club during its inaugural two seasons in the top-flight American league. Montoya had revealed in September his intention to step down at the end of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC finish second-bottom in the 14-team standings. “My time with the FA has been incredible my time with the FA,” remarked Coates. “The experience has been formative both in my career and as an individual. Now, I feel ready and excited to test my abilities in a different setting.” Track Record of Success Since taking charge in 2023, Coates guided the England U23s through matches including a 1-0 victory over Norway in the European U23 League and a 4-2 friendly defeat to the United States. Accompanying her to the NWSL is her former Lionesses staff member, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the Women’s Super League. Bay FC's CEO, a one-time Football Association technical lead, praised Coates's credentials: “Coates is an excellent coach, but she also has a strong record of nurturing talent to thrive domestically and internationally.” “Her leadership qualities are exceptional of squads and building ethos and has the tactical philosophy we were searching for,” she continued. The Task Ahead Bay FC experienced a contrasting start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and losing in the playoffs 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 departing duo: “We thank Emma and Gemma for their time with us and extend our best wishes with their new challenge. They have played a key role in fortifying the pipeline between the young Lionesses and the first team.” “Their work has directly shaped the development of many young players who have earned call-ups to senior Lionesses,” he added. Player Progression Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has overseen the rise of a number of players to the England senior side, including midfielder Lucia Kendall—who netted her debut Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones. The search for their replacements has begun, with the aim to continue the development of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the future.