Coach Emma Coates Leaves the Young Lionesses Position to Take Helm at NWSL's Bay FC

In a significant career move, the 34-year-old coach has resigned her post with the England Women’s Under-23 national team to take over as head coach for National Women’s Soccer League expansion side Bay FC.

Fresh Beginnings

She takes over from Albertin Montoya, who led the California club during its inaugural two seasons in the premier American league. Montoya had revealed in September his intention to step down at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC occupy a lowly 13th place in the 14-team standings.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the FA,” remarked 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.”

Track Record of Success

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 high-scoring loss to the United States. She will be joined to the United States is her former Lionesses staff member, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the Women’s Super League.

Kay Cossington, a one-time Football Association technical lead, highlighted Coates's abilities: “Coates is an outstanding tactician, but she also has a proven track record of nurturing talent to succeed on the biggest stages.”

“She is an outstanding leader of teams and environments and has the tactical philosophy we were looking for,” she continued.

The Task Ahead

The club had a rollercoaster 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 contributions and extend our best wishes with their next chapter. Emma, with Gemma, has played a crucial part in strengthening the pathway between the young Lionesses and the first team.”

“Together, they have directly influenced the development of many promising talents who have gone on to become senior Lionesses,” Step concluded.

Pathway Success

Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has been integral to the rise of a number of players to the Lionesses squad, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who netted her first Lionesses goal—and forwards Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.

Discussions for successors to fill the roles is now underway, as the FA looks to continue the progress of the youth national team in the future.