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Marking a major shift in her coaching journey, the 34-year-old coach has resigned her post with the Young Lionesses national team to assume the role of head coach for NWSL franchise Bay FC.

Fresh Beginnings

She takes over from Albertin Montoya, who guided the California club during its first two seasons in the top-flight American league. Montoya announced in September his intention to resign at the end of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC end up 13th in the league standings.

“My time with the FA has been incredible my time with the FA,” stated Coates. “The experience has been formative both on and off the pitch. This feels like the right moment to push myself in a new environment.”

Coaching Pedigree

Since taking charge in 2023, Coates managed the England U23s through matches including a 1-0 victory over Norway in the continental competition and a 4-2 friendly defeat to the United States. She will be joined to America is her right-hand woman, Gemma Davies, a former Aston Villa manager in the WSL.

Bay FC's CEO, a former FA women’s technical director, praised Coates's abilities: “Emma is not only an superb manager, but she also has a demonstrated history of developing players to succeed on the biggest stages.”

“She is an outstanding leader of squads and building ethos and has the football vision we were seeking,” added Cossington.

The Task Ahead

The club experienced a contrasting start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and losing in the playoffs in its debut season before facing difficulties to a near-bottom placement in 2025.

Gavin Step, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the outgoing coaches: “Our gratitude goes to Emma and Gemma for their contributions and extend our best wishes with their next chapter. They have played a pivotal part in fortifying the pipeline between the WU23s and the senior squad.”

“Together, they have directly influenced the development of many young players who have progressed into senior Lionesses,” he finished.

Pathway Success

After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates has been integral to the advancement of multiple players to the Lionesses squad, including midfielder Lucia Kendall—who recently scored her debut Lionesses goal—and attackers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.

An extensive process for their replacements has already commenced, with the aim to continue the development of the Women’s Under-23s setup in the coming years.