🔗 Share this article England's Emma Coates Exits the Young Lionesses Role to Take Helm at National Women's Soccer League's Bay FC Marking a major shift in her coaching journey, Emma Coates has stepped down from the Young Lionesses national team to assume the role of head coach for NWSL franchise Bay FC. Transition Stateside She takes over from Albertin Montoya, who guided the California club during its debut two seasons in the premier American league. Montoya stated in September his intention to resign at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC end up 13th in the 14-team standings. “It has been a privilege to serve my time with the FA,” commented Coates. “The experience has been formative both on and off the pitch. I am now prepared and eager to push myself in a fresh challenge.” Track Record of Success In her time at the helm in 2023, Coates oversaw the England U23s through matches including a 1-0 victory over Norway in the European U23 League and a 4-2 friendly defeat to the United States. Accompanying her to the NWSL is her England assistant, Gemma Davies, a ex- Aston Villa manager in the WSL. Kay Cossington, a former FA women’s technical director, highlighted Coates's qualifications: “Coates is an outstanding tactician, but she also has a strong record of developing players to thrive domestically and internationally.” “She is an outstanding leader of squads and building ethos and has the tactical philosophy we were seeking,” the CEO stated. Bay FC's Journey Bay FC had a rollercoaster start to its NWSL existence, securing a playoff spot and losing in the playoffs in its debut season before facing difficulties to a 13th-place finish in 2025. Gavin Step, 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 strengthening the pathway between the WU23s and the senior squad.” “Together, they have directly impacted the development of many young players who have earned call-ups to senior Lionesses,” Step concluded. Pathway Success After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has been integral to the rise of a number of players to the national team, including playmaker Lucia Kendall—who recently scored her first Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones. An extensive process for their replacements has already commenced, to continue the development of the WU23 program in the future.