🔗 Share this article England's Emma Coates Departs England Under-23s Post to Assume Command at NWSL's Bay FC Marking a major shift in her coaching journey, the former England youth boss has stepped down from the Young Lionesses national team to assume the role of head coach for NWSL expansion side Bay FC. Fresh Beginnings She takes over from Albertin Montoya, who led the California club during its debut two seasons in the top-flight American league. Montoya stated 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. “My time with the FA has been incredible my time with the FA,” remarked Coates. “It has been instrumental in my development both in my career and as an individual. This feels like the right moment to push myself in a fresh challenge.” Proven Developer In her time at the helm in 2023, Coates guided the England U23s through matches including a narrow win over Norway in the continental competition and a high-scoring loss to the United States. Making the move alongside her to America is her England assistant, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the WSL. Kay Cossington, a former FA women’s technical director, spoke highly of Coates's credentials: “Coates is an excellent coach, but she also has a strong record of elevating athletes to compete at the highest levels.” “She is an outstanding leader of teams and environments and has the football vision we were looking for,” the CEO stated. Club Context The club experienced a contrasting start to its NWSL existence, securing a playoff spot and losing in the playoffs in its inaugural campaign before slipping to a 13th-place finish in 2025. The Football Association's new technical lead, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the departing duo: “Our gratitude goes to Emma and Gemma for their service and extend our best wishes with their next chapter. They have played a key role in fortifying the pipeline between the young Lionesses and the first team.” “Their work has directly shaped the development of many young players who have gone on to become senior Lionesses,” Step concluded. Lasting Legacy Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has been integral to the promotion of multiple players to the Lionesses squad, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who recently scored her first Lionesses goal—and forwards Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones. An extensive process for their replacements has begun, with the aim to continue the progress of the youth national team in the future.