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In a significant career move, Emma Coates has resigned her post with the England Women’s Under-23 national team to be appointed head coach for National Women’s Soccer League franchise Bay FC.

Fresh Beginnings

She takes over from Albertin Montoya, who led the San Jose-based club during its first 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 occupy a lowly 13th place in the league standings.

“My time with the FA has been incredible my time with the FA,” stated Coates. “The experience has been formative both in my career and as an individual. Now, I feel ready and excited to push myself in a fresh challenge.”

Coaching Pedigree

Since taking charge in 2023, Coates oversaw the England U23s through matches including a 1-0 victory over Norway in the European U23 League and a high-scoring loss to the United States. Making the move alongside her to the United States is her former Lionesses staff member, Gemma Davies, a ex- Aston Villa manager in the WSL.

Kay Cossington, a former FA women’s technical director, praised Coates's abilities: “She is both an superb manager, but she also has a proven track record of nurturing talent to thrive domestically and internationally.”

“Coates excels at leading of squads and building ethos and has the strategic outlook we were looking for,” she continued.

The Task Ahead

The California side experienced a mixed start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and losing in the playoffs in its first year before facing difficulties to a 13th-place finish in 2025.

The new FA women’s technical director, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the departing duo: “Our gratitude goes to Emma and Gemma for their service and extend our best wishes with their new challenge. Emma, with Gemma, has played a pivotal part in bolstering the progression route 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 finished.

Pathway Success

Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates presided over the promotion of several players to the national team, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who netted her first Lionesses goal—and forwards Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.

The search for successors to fill the roles has already commenced, as the FA looks to continue the growth of the youth national team in the coming years.