🔗 Share this article England's Emma Coates Departs England U23 Position to Become Head Coach at NWSL's Bay FC Embarking on a fresh professional challenge, the former England youth boss has left her position leading the England WU23 national team to assume the role of head coach for NWSL expansion side Bay FC. Fresh Beginnings She takes over from Albertin Montoya, who guided the San Jose-based 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 finish second-bottom in the 14-team standings. “It has been a privilege to serve my time with the FA,” commented Coates. “The experience has been formative both on and off the pitch. I am now prepared and eager to push myself in a fresh challenge.” Proven Developer In her time at the helm in 2023, Coates guided the England U23s through fixtures including a narrow win over Norway in the European U23 League and a 4-2 friendly defeat to the United States. Accompanying her to America is her England assistant, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the English top division. The club's chief executive, a former FA women’s technical director, praised Coates's qualifications: “Emma is not only an superb manager, but she also has a strong record of nurturing talent to thrive domestically and internationally.” “She is an outstanding leader of people and culture and has the football vision we were searching for,” added Cossington. The Task Ahead The California side experienced a mixed start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and suffering a postseason defeat in its first year before struggling to a near-bottom placement in 2025. The new FA women’s technical director, Gavin Step, offered thanks to the outgoing coaches: “We thank Emma and Gemma for their service and wish them all the best with their new challenge. Emma, with Gemma, has played a key role in bolstering the progression route between the young Lionesses and the first team.” “Together, they have directly shaped the development of many young players who have gone on to become senior Lionesses,” Step concluded. Player Progression Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates presided over the rise of a number of players to the national team, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who recently scored her first Lionesses goal—and forwards Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones. An extensive process for new U23 coaching staff has already commenced, with the aim to continue the growth of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the coming years.