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In a significant career move, the former England youth boss has stepped down from the England WU23 national team to assume the role of head coach for National Women’s Soccer League expansion side Bay FC.

Fresh Beginnings

Coates succeeds Albertin Montoya, who led the California club during its first two seasons in the top-flight 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,” stated Coates. “The experience has been formative both in my career and as an individual. This feels like the right moment to push myself in a different setting.”

Proven Developer

Since taking charge in 2023, Coates oversaw the England U23s through matches 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 former Aston Villa manager in the English top division.

Kay Cossington, a former FA women’s technical director, praised Coates's abilities: “Coates is an superb manager, but she also has a strong record of nurturing talent to thrive domestically and internationally.”

“Her leadership qualities are exceptional of squads and building ethos and has the football vision we were seeking,” she continued.

Club Context

The club had 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, offered thanks to the outgoing coaches: “We thank Emma and Gemma for their service and wish them all the best with their venture abroad. Emma, with Gemma, has played a key role in bolstering the progression route between the WU23s and the senior squad.”

“Their work has directly shaped the development of many promising talents who have progressed into senior Lionesses,” he finished.

Pathway Success

After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has been integral to the promotion of a number of players to the England senior side, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who netted her debut Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.

The search for their replacements is now underway, to continue the progress of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the future.