England's Emma Coates Exits England Under-23s Role to Assume Command at NWSL's Bay FC
Embarking on a fresh professional challenge, the former England youth boss has resigned her post with the England WU23 national team to take over as head coach for NWSL franchise Bay FC.
Transition Stateside
Coates succeeds Albertin Montoya, who was at the helm of the California club during its inaugural two seasons in the premier American league. Montoya announced in September his intention to step down at the conclusion 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 on and off the pitch. Now, I feel ready and excited to push myself in a different setting.”
Coaching Pedigree
In her time at the helm in 2023, Coates managed the England U23s through fixtures 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 NWSL is her right-hand woman, Gemma Davies, a ex- Aston Villa manager in the English top division.
Bay FC's CEO, a one-time Football Association technical lead, spoke highly of Coates's abilities: “Coates is an excellent coach, but she also has a demonstrated history of developing players to compete at the highest levels.”
“She is an outstanding leader of squads and building ethos and has the strategic outlook we were seeking,” she continued.
Club Context
The club had a contrasting start to its NWSL existence, securing a playoff spot and losing in the playoffs in its debut season before struggling 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 next chapter. They have played a key role in fortifying the pipeline between the WU23s and the senior squad.”
“Together, they have directly impacted the development of many promising talents who have gone on to become senior Lionesses,” Step concluded.
Pathway Success
After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has overseen the promotion of several players to the England senior side, 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 is now underway, to continue the development of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the seasons ahead.
