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Marking a major shift in her coaching journey, Emma Coates has stepped down from the England Women’s Under-23 national team to assume the role of head coach for NWSL franchise Bay FC.

Transition Stateside

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 premier 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 been instrumental in my development both on and off the pitch. Now, I feel ready and excited to challenge myself in a new environment.”

Coaching Pedigree

During her tenure in 2023, Coates managed the England U23s through matches including a 1-0 victory over Norway in the continental competition and a 4-2 friendly defeat to the United States. Making the move alongside her to the United States is her former Lionesses staff member, Gemma Davies, a ex- Aston Villa manager in the English top division.

Kay Cossington, a one-time Football Association technical lead, praised Coates's qualifications: “Emma is not only an excellent coach, but she also has a demonstrated history of elevating athletes to succeed on the biggest stages.”

“Coates excels at leading of teams and environments and has the tactical philosophy we were searching for,” added Cossington.

Club Context

The club had a rollercoaster start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and losing in the playoffs in its inaugural campaign before facing difficulties to a near-bottom placement in 2025.

The Football Association's new technical lead, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the outgoing coaches: “We thank Emma and Gemma for their time with us and wish them all the best with their new challenge. Emma, with Gemma, has played a key role in fortifying the pipeline between the young Lionesses and the first team.”

“Their work has directly influenced the development of many young players who have progressed into senior Lionesses,” Step concluded.

Player Progression

Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has been integral to the rise of multiple players to the Lionesses squad, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who netted her debut Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.

The search for new U23 coaching staff has begun, as the FA looks to continue the development of the youth national team in the coming years.