Emma Coates to leave England WU23s head coach role

England women's under-23s head coach Emma Coates is to leave her position to take up a new role with National Women’s Soccer League club Bay FC.

Coates will be joined at the San Francisco Bay Area club by her Young Lionesses assistant Gemma Davies, meaning a recruitment process will begin imminently to identify their successors.

The pair said their goodbyes to the WU23s players and staff during the recent international window, signing off with a 1-0 win over Norway at the Joie Stadium and an entertaining 4-2 defeat to the USA at Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium.

Gavin Step, FA women’s technical director, said: “We thank Emma and Gemma for their time with us and wish them all the best with their new challenge.

"Emma, with Gemma’s support, has played a key role in strengthening the pathway between the WU23s and the senior squad, as well as the younger age groups.

“Together, they have directly impacted the development of many young players who have gone on to become senior Lionesses, and helped to re-establish the WU23s as a team that fans want to watch wherever they play across the country. We are excited to see the WU23s set-up continue to grow over the coming years and have already begun the search for their replacements.”