🔗 Share this article England's Emma Coates Departs the Young Lionesses Role to Become Head Coach at NWSL's Bay FC Embarking on a fresh professional challenge, the 34-year-old coach has stepped down from the Young Lionesses national team to assume the role of head coach for NWSL expansion side Bay FC. A New Chapter She takes over from Albertin Montoya, who was at the helm of the San Jose-based club during its inaugural two seasons in the premier American league. Montoya announced in September his intention to depart at the end of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC finish second-bottom in the 14-team standings. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the FA,” commented Coates. “The experience has been formative both professionally and personally. Now, I feel ready and excited to push myself in a new environment.” Proven Developer During her tenure in 2023, Coates guided the England U23s through fixtures including a 1-0 victory over Norway in the European U23 League and a high-scoring loss to the United States. Accompanying her to America is her right-hand woman, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the English top division. Bay FC's CEO, a one-time Football Association technical lead, spoke highly of Coates's credentials: “Coates is an superb manager, but she also has a demonstrated history of elevating athletes to compete at the highest levels.” “Her leadership qualities are exceptional of squads and building ethos and has the football vision we were seeking,” the CEO stated. The Task Ahead Bay FC experienced a rollercoaster start to its NWSL existence, securing a playoff spot and suffering a postseason defeat in its first year before slipping to a 13th-place finish in 2025. The new FA women’s technical director, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the departing duo: “Our gratitude goes to Emma and Gemma for their service and wish them all the best with their next chapter. Emma, with Gemma, has played a crucial part in strengthening the pathway between the WU23s and the senior squad.” “Their work has directly shaped the development of many promising talents who have gone on to become senior Lionesses,” he added. Pathway Success Since taking over Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has been integral to the promotion of multiple players to the national team, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who recently scored her first Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones. The search for successors to fill the roles has already commenced, with the aim to continue the growth of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the coming years.