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In a significant career move, Emma Coates has left her position leading the Young Lionesses national team to be appointed head coach for NWSL expansion side Bay FC.

Fresh Beginnings

Her appointment follows the departure of Albertin Montoya, who was at the helm of the San Jose-based club during its first two seasons in the top-flight American league. Montoya announced in September his intention to step down at the end 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,” remarked Coates. “It has helped shape me both on and off the pitch. Now, I feel ready and excited to challenge myself in a different setting.”

Coaching Pedigree

In her time at the helm in 2023, Coates guided the England U23s through fixtures including a narrow win over Norway in the continental competition and a high-scoring loss to the United States. Accompanying her to the NWSL is her right-hand woman, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the English top division.

Bay FC's CEO, a former FA women’s technical director, praised Coates's credentials: “She is both an outstanding tactician, but she also has a strong record of nurturing talent to compete at the highest levels.”

“She is an outstanding leader of people and culture and has the football vision we were searching for,” the CEO stated.

Bay FC's Journey

The club had a contrasting 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 Football Association's new technical lead, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the outgoing coaches: “Our gratitude goes to Emma and Gemma for their service and extend our best wishes with their venture abroad. They have played a crucial part in strengthening the pathway between the young Lionesses and the first team.”

“Together, they have directly impacted the development of many promising talents who have gone on to become senior Lionesses,” Step concluded.

Lasting Legacy

After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has overseen the advancement of a number of players to the Lionesses squad, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who recently scored her first Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.

An extensive process for successors to fill the roles is now underway, with the aim to continue the growth of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the future.