Emma Coates leaves England U23 role to become head coach at NSWL’s Bay FC | NWSL

Emma Coates has left her role as manager of the England women’s national under-23 team to become the new head coach of NWSL side Bay FC.

Coates replaces Albertin Montoya, who was the expansion team’s coach when it entered the National Women’s Soccer League two years ago. Montoya announced in September that he would step down at the end of the 2025 season, with the San Jose team finishing 13th out of 14 teams.

Coates, 34, has coached the England Under-23 team since 2023, most recently overseeing a 1-0 European Under-23 League win over Norway and a 4-2 friendly defeat to the United States. Her England assistant, Gemma Davies, who previously managed Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League, will join her at Bay FC.

“I really enjoyed my stay with the [English] FA,” Coates said. “It helped shape me both professionally and personally. Now I feel ready and excited to challenge myself in a new environment. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all members of the FA for their trust, support and belief throughout my journey.

Kay Cossington, CEO of Bay Collective and former FA Women’s Technical Director, said: “Emma is not only an excellent coach, but she also has a proven track record of developing players to compete at the highest levels of domestic and international football.

“She [Coates] is an exceptional leader in terms of people and culture and has the vision for football that we were looking for,” added Cossington. “Emma has consistently demonstrated her ability to take players and teams to the next level with clarity, care and determination.”

Bay FC finished in seventh place in 2024, losing in the playoffs to the Washington Spirit in its first season before finishing second in the standings this season.

The FA’s new women’s technical director, Gavin Step, said: “We thank Emma and Gemma for their time with us and wish them all the best in their new challenge. Emma, ​​with Gemma’s support, has played a key role in strengthening the path between the WU23s and the senior team, as well as the younger age groups.”

“Together they have had a direct impact on the development of many young players who have become senior Lionesses and helped re-establish the WU23s as a team that fans want to watch wherever they play across the country.

“We are excited to see the women’s under-23 team continue to develop over the coming years and have already started the search for their replacements,” concluded Step.

Since replacing Mo Marley as under-23 coach in 2023, Coates has seen a number of players progress to the senior England team, including midfielder Lucia Kendall – who scored her first goal for the Lionesses against Ghana on Tuesday – as well as forwards Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.