Coach Emma Coates Leaves England Under-23s Role to Become Head Coach at NWSL's Bay FC
Embarking on a fresh professional challenge, the 34-year-old coach has stepped down from the England Women’s Under-23 national team to assume the role of head coach for National Women’s Soccer League expansion side Bay FC.
Transition Stateside
Her appointment follows the departure of Albertin Montoya, who was at the helm of the San Jose-based club during its debut two seasons in the premier American league. Montoya announced in September his intention to resign at the end 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,” stated Coates. “It has helped shape me both on and off the pitch. Now, I feel ready and excited to test my abilities in a fresh challenge.”
Coaching Pedigree
During her tenure in 2023, Coates managed the England U23s through fixtures including a 1-0 victory over Norway in the European U23 League and a 4-2 friendly defeat to the United States. Accompanying her to the United States is her right-hand woman, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the English top division.
Kay Cossington, a one-time Football Association technical lead, highlighted Coates's abilities: “She is both an excellent coach, but she also has a demonstrated history of developing players to succeed on the biggest stages.”
“Coates excels at leading of people and culture and has the football vision we were seeking,” added Cossington.
The Task Ahead
The club had a contrasting start to its NWSL existence, securing a playoff spot and losing in the playoffs in its debut season before facing difficulties to a near-bottom placement in 2025.
The new FA women’s technical director, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the outgoing coaches: “Our gratitude goes to Emma and Gemma for their time with us and extend our best wishes with their next chapter. They have played a key role in fortifying the pipeline 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,” Step concluded.
Pathway Success
Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates presided over the advancement of multiple players to the England senior side, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who netted her debut Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
The search for successors to fill the roles has begun, to continue the growth of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the coming years.
