🔗 Share this article

In a significant career move, the 34-year-old coach has resigned her post with the England Women’s Under-23 national team to take over as head coach for National Women’s Soccer League expansion side Bay FC.

Fresh Beginnings

Her appointment follows the departure of Albertin Montoya, who guided the California club during its first two seasons in the premier American league. Montoya stated 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.

“My time with the FA has been incredible my time with the FA,” remarked Coates. “It has helped shape me both in my career and as an individual. I am now prepared and eager to test my abilities in a fresh challenge.”

Coaching Pedigree

In her time at the helm in 2023, Coates managed the England U23s through fixtures including a narrow win over Norway in the European U23 League and a high-scoring loss to the United States. Making the move alongside her to the United States is her England assistant, Gemma Davies, a ex- Aston Villa manager in the WSL.

The club's chief executive, a former FA women’s technical director, highlighted Coates's credentials: “Coates is an outstanding tactician, but she also has a proven track record of nurturing talent to compete at the highest levels.”

“Her leadership qualities are exceptional of people and culture and has the football vision we were looking for,” added Cossington.

Club Context

Bay FC had a mixed start to its NWSL existence, securing a playoff spot and suffering a postseason defeat in its first year 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 contributions and wish them all the best with their next chapter. They have played a crucial part in strengthening the pathway between the young Lionesses and the first team.”

“Together, they have directly impacted the development of many young players who have gone on to become senior Lionesses,” Step concluded.

Player Progression

After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has been integral to the advancement of several players to the Lionesses squad, 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, to continue the growth of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the seasons ahead.