England's Emma Coates Exits England Under-23s Role to Become Head Coach at National Women's Soccer League's Bay FC
Embarking on a fresh professional challenge, the 34-year-old coach has stepped down from the England Women’s Under-23 national team to be appointed head coach for NWSL franchise Bay FC.
Transition Stateside
Coates succeeds Albertin Montoya, who led the California club during its first 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 end up 13th in the league standings.
“My time with the FA has been incredible my time with the FA,” commented Coates. “It has helped shape me both in my career and as an individual. Now, I feel ready and excited to test my abilities in a new environment.”
Coaching Pedigree
In her time at the helm in 2023, Coates managed the England U23s through fixtures including a narrow win over Norway in the continental competition and a 4-2 friendly defeat to the United States. Making the move alongside her to the United States is her former Lionesses staff member, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the WSL.
The club's chief executive, a one-time Football Association technical lead, spoke highly of Coates's credentials: “She is both an superb manager, but she also has a strong record of elevating athletes to compete at the highest levels.”
“Her leadership qualities are exceptional of people and culture and has the football vision we were looking for,” added Cossington.
Club Context
The California side 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 near-bottom placement in 2025.
The Football Association's new technical lead, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the departing duo: “We thank Emma and Gemma for their service and wish them all the best 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 gone on to become senior Lionesses,” he added.
Player Progression
After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates presided over the advancement of several players to the national team, including midfielder Lucia Kendall—who recently scored her debut Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
An extensive process for successors to fill the roles has already commenced, as the FA looks to continue the growth of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the seasons ahead.
