🔗 Share this article Emma Coates Departs England U23 Position to Take Helm at NWSL's Bay FC In a significant career move, the 34-year-old coach has stepped down from the England WU23 national team to take over as head coach for NWSL expansion side Bay FC. A New Chapter Coates succeeds Albertin Montoya, who led the California club during its inaugural 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 end up 13th in the league standings. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the FA,” remarked Coates. “It has helped shape me both in my career and as an individual. This feels like the right moment to push myself in a new environment.” Coaching Pedigree In her time at the helm in 2023, Coates oversaw the England U23s through matches 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 NWSL is her England assistant, Gemma Davies, a ex- Aston Villa manager in the English top division. The club's chief executive, a one-time Football Association technical lead, spoke highly of Coates's abilities: “Coates is an excellent coach, but she also has a proven track record of elevating athletes to succeed on the biggest stages.” “She is an outstanding leader of squads and building ethos and has the tactical philosophy we were searching for,” she continued. Club Context Bay FC had a contrasting start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and suffering a postseason defeat in its inaugural campaign before struggling to a 13th-place finish 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 crucial part in fortifying the pipeline between the young Lionesses and the first team.” “Their work has directly influenced the development of many young players who have earned call-ups to senior Lionesses,” Step concluded. Lasting Legacy Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates presided over the advancement of a number of players to the national team, 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 already commenced, to continue the progress of the WU23 program in the future.