England's Emma Coates Leaves the Young Lionesses Role to Assume Command at National Women's Soccer League's Bay FC
In a significant career move, the 34-year-old coach has stepped down from the Young Lionesses national team to assume the role of head coach for National Women’s Soccer League expansion side Bay FC.
Transition Stateside
She takes over from Albertin Montoya, who guided the San Jose-based club during its inaugural two seasons in the top-flight American league. Montoya had revealed in September his intention to depart at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC finish second-bottom in the 14-team standings.
“My time with the FA has been incredible my time with the FA,” commented Coates. “It has been instrumental in my development both in my career and as an individual. I am now prepared and eager to push myself in a fresh challenge.”
Coaching Pedigree
In her time at the helm in 2023, Coates oversaw the England U23s through fixtures including a narrow win over Norway in the continental competition 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.
Kay Cossington, a one-time Football Association technical lead, praised Coates's credentials: “She is both an superb manager, but she also has a proven track record of developing players to thrive domestically and internationally.”
“Coates excels at leading of squads and building ethos and has the strategic outlook we were searching for,” added Cossington.
The Task Ahead
Bay FC experienced a mixed start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and losing in the playoffs in its first year 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 contributions and extend our best wishes with their next chapter. They have played a crucial part in fortifying the pipeline between the WU23s and the senior squad.”
“Together, they have directly influenced the development of many promising talents who have progressed into senior Lionesses,” Step concluded.
Pathway Success
After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has overseen the promotion of multiple players to the national team, including midfielder Lucia Kendall—who recently scored her first Lionesses goal—and forwards Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
Discussions for successors to fill the roles is now underway, to continue the growth of the youth national team in the future.
