🔗 Share this article Coach Emma Coates Exits the Young Lionesses Role to Take Helm at National Women's Soccer League's Bay FC In a significant career move, Emma Coates has resigned her post with the England WU23 national team to assume the role of head coach for National Women’s Soccer League expansion side Bay FC. Fresh Beginnings Coates succeeds Albertin Montoya, who guided the San Jose-based club during its debut two seasons in the premier American league. Montoya had revealed in September his intention to resign at the end of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC occupy a lowly 13th place 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. I am now prepared and eager to challenge myself in a fresh challenge.” Track Record of Success During her tenure in 2023, Coates guided 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. She will be joined to the United States is her right-hand woman, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the Women’s Super League. The club's chief executive, a one-time Football Association technical lead, spoke highly of Coates's credentials: “Coates is an outstanding tactician, but she also has a proven track record of developing players to compete at the highest levels.” “She is an outstanding leader of teams and environments and has the strategic outlook we were looking for,” the CEO stated. The Task Ahead The California side had a mixed start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and losing in the playoffs in its first year before slipping to a 13th-place finish in 2025. The Football Association's new technical lead, Gavin Step, offered thanks to the departing duo: “We thank Emma and Gemma for their time with us and extend our best wishes with their new challenge. Emma, with Gemma, has played a key role in fortifying the pipeline between the WU23s and the senior squad.” “Together, they have directly influenced the development of many promising talents who have gone on to become senior Lionesses,” he finished. Lasting Legacy After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates presided over the advancement of multiple players to the national team, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who netted her debut Lionesses goal—and forwards Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones. An extensive process for their replacements has begun, to continue the growth of the WU23 program in the seasons ahead.