đ Share this article England's Emma Coates Exits England U23 Role to Become Head Coach at National Women's Soccer League's Bay FC Embarking on a fresh professional challenge, Emma Coates has stepped down from the England WU23 national team to assume the role of head coach for National Womenâs Soccer League expansion side Bay FC. Transition Stateside Her appointment follows the departure of Albertin Montoya, who led the San Jose-based club during its first two seasons in the premier American league. Montoya had revealed in September his intention to step down at the end of the 2025 campaign, a season which saw Bay FC occupy a lowly 13th place in the league standings. âI have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the FA,â stated Coates. âIt has helped shape me both professionally and personally. I am now prepared and eager to test my abilities in a fresh challenge.â Track Record of Success Since taking charge in 2023, Coates oversaw 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 the NWSL is her former Lionesses staff member, Gemma Davies, a ex- Aston Villa manager in the WSL. Kay Cossington, a one-time Football Association technical lead, spoke highly of Coates's abilities: âCoates is an excellent coach, but she also has a strong record of nurturing talent to thrive domestically and internationally.â âCoates excels at leading of people and culture and has the tactical philosophy we were searching for,â added Cossington. The Task Ahead The club experienced a mixed start to its NWSL existence, finishing in seventh place and suffering a postseason defeat in its first year before facing difficulties to a 13th-place finish in 2025. Gavin Step, Gavin Step, bid farewell to the departing duo: âOur gratitude goes to Emma and Gemma for their service and wish them all the best with their venture abroad. Emma, with Gemma, has played a pivotal part in fortifying the pipeline between the young Lionesses and the first team.â âTheir work has directly shaped the development of many promising talents who have gone on to become senior Lionesses,â he added. Pathway Success After succeeding Mo Marley in 2023, Coates presided over the rise of several players to the national team, including midfielder Lucia Kendallâwho netted her first Lionesses goalâand forwards Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones. The search for successors to fill the roles has begun, with the aim to continue the development of the Womenâs Under-23s setup in the seasons ahead.