England's Emma Coates Departs England U23 Position to Become Head Coach at NWSL's Bay FC
Embarking on a fresh professional challenge, Emma Coates has resigned her post with the England WU23 national team to take over as head coach for NWSL franchise Bay FC.
Transition Stateside
Her appointment follows the departure of Albertin Montoya, who guided the California club during its first two seasons in the premier American league. Montoya announced in September his intention to resign at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC finish second-bottom in the league standings.
“My time with the FA has been incredible my time with the FA,” remarked Coates. “It has been instrumental in my development both professionally and personally. Now, I feel ready and excited to test my abilities in a new environment.”
Track Record of Success
Since taking charge in 2023, Coates guided the England U23s through matches including a narrow win over Norway in the European U23 League and a high-scoring loss to the United States. Making the move alongside her to the NWSL is her England assistant, 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: “Emma is not only an superb manager, but she also has a strong record of developing players to succeed on the biggest stages.”
“She is an outstanding leader of squads and building ethos and has the tactical philosophy we were seeking,” the CEO stated.
The Task Ahead
The club had a rollercoaster start to its NWSL existence, securing a playoff spot and suffering a postseason defeat in its first year before facing difficulties 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 crucial part in strengthening the pathway between the young Lionesses and the first team.”
“Together, they have directly influenced the development of many young players who have earned call-ups to senior Lionesses,” he added.
Lasting Legacy
After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has been integral to the rise of several players to the national team, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who recently scored her first Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
The search for successors to fill the roles is now underway, as the FA looks to continue the growth of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the coming years.
