Coach Emma Coates Departs the Young Lionesses Post to Become Head Coach at NWSL's Bay FC
Embarking on a fresh professional challenge, the 34-year-old coach has resigned her post with the England WU23 national team to be appointed 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 top-flight American league. Montoya had revealed in September his intention to depart at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC end up 13th in the 14-team standings.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the FA,” stated Coates. “It has been instrumental in my development both professionally and personally. Now, I feel ready and excited to challenge myself in a different setting.”
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 high-scoring loss to the United States. She will be joined to the United States is her England assistant, Gemma Davies, a ex- Aston Villa manager in the Women’s Super League.
Kay Cossington, a former FA women’s technical director, highlighted Coates's qualifications: “Coates is an excellent coach, but she also has a strong record of elevating athletes to compete at the highest levels.”
“She is an outstanding leader of teams and environments and has the football vision 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 losing in the playoffs in its debut season before struggling to a 13th-place finish 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 extend our best wishes with their new challenge. They have played a pivotal part in fortifying the pipeline between the young Lionesses and the first team.”
“Their work has directly influenced the development of many promising talents who have gone on to become senior Lionesses,” he added.
Player Progression
Since taking over 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 forwards Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
Discussions for successors to fill the roles has begun, as the FA looks to continue the growth of the WU23 program in the seasons ahead.
