Emma Coates Leaves the Young Lionesses Post to Take Helm at NWSL's Bay FC
Embarking on a fresh professional challenge, the 34-year-old coach has stepped down from the England WU23 national team to be appointed head coach for NWSL expansion side Bay FC.
A New Chapter
Her appointment follows the departure of Albertin Montoya, who led the California club during its debut two seasons in the top-flight American league. Montoya announced in September his intention to step down at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC finish second-bottom in the league standings.
“It has been a privilege to serve my time with the FA,” stated Coates. “The experience has been formative both professionally and personally. This feels like the right moment to push myself in a different setting.”
Track Record of Success
During her tenure in 2023, Coates managed the England U23s through fixtures including a 1-0 victory over Norway in the continental competition and a high-scoring loss to the United States. Accompanying her to the NWSL is her former Lionesses staff member, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the English top division.
Bay FC's CEO, a one-time Football Association technical lead, spoke highly of Coates's abilities: “Coates is an superb manager, but she also has a proven track record of elevating athletes to thrive domestically and internationally.”
“She is an outstanding leader of squads and building ethos and has the football vision we were looking for,” added Cossington.
The Task Ahead
The club experienced a mixed start to its NWSL existence, securing a playoff spot and suffering a postseason defeat in its first year before struggling to a 13th-place finish in 2025.
The new FA women’s technical director, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the departing duo: “We thank Emma and Gemma for their contributions and wish them all the best with their new challenge. Emma, with Gemma, has played a pivotal part in strengthening the pathway between the young Lionesses and the first team.”
“Together, they have directly impacted the development of many young players who have gone on to become senior Lionesses,” Step concluded.
Player Progression
After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has been integral to the advancement of multiple players to the Lionesses squad, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who recently scored her debut Lionesses goal—and forwards Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
The search for successors to fill the roles is now underway, to continue the development of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the future.
