Emma Coates Departs England Under-23s Position to Become Head Coach at NWSL's Bay FC
Embarking on a fresh professional challenge, Emma Coates has stepped down from the England WU23 national team to assume the role of head coach for National Women’s Soccer League franchise Bay FC.
A New Chapter
Her appointment follows the departure of Albertin Montoya, who was at the helm of the San Jose-based club during its inaugural two seasons in the top-flight American league. Montoya announced in September his intention to depart at the end of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC finish second-bottom 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 test my abilities in a different setting.”
Coaching Pedigree
During her tenure 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. She will be joined to the United States is her right-hand woman, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the WSL.
Bay FC's CEO, a former FA women’s technical director, praised Coates's credentials: “Coates is an outstanding tactician, but she also has a proven track record of developing players to succeed on the biggest stages.”
“She is an outstanding leader of squads and building ethos and has the football vision we were searching for,” she continued.
Bay FC's Journey
The California side had a mixed 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 Football Association's new technical lead, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the departing duo: “We thank Emma and Gemma for their time with us and wish them all the best with their new challenge. Emma, with Gemma, has played a pivotal 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 earned call-ups to senior Lionesses,” Step concluded.
Player Progression
Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has been integral to the rise 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.
Discussions for successors to fill the roles has begun, as the FA looks to continue the development of the WU23 program in the coming years.
