Albertin Montoya was cleared of bullying accusations Tuesday as an independent investigation noted that while the second-year Bay FC coach had deficiencies in his communication style, he did not violate National Women’s Soccer League policy.

The NWSL launched an investigation into Montoya in March after two complaints were lodged against him for treatment during Bay FC’s inaugural 2024 season. One was cleared after it was reviewed by a third-party investigator hired by the team, while the other was sent to the league.

After a four-month investigation, which included interviews with current and former players and staff, the league announced the findings of its third-party review, saying Montoya did not breach the NWSL Policy to Prevent and Eliminate Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying.

Montoya will not face any fines or suspensions but vowed to learn from the months-long ordeal.

“It's difficult right now, just because the fact that certain individuals felt a certain way and I made them feel uncomfortable has been hard on me,” Montoya said. “Because that's the last thing I ever try to do."

Asked if he felt his behavior was unacceptable, Montoya, who never considered resigning, said, “I do not. I feel like I was coaching and trying to get the most out of our players, working with our players, trying to connect with them. … I do not feel that way.

“For 30 years, I've been coaching this game. I take great pride and joy in making sure that we create the best environment for our players where they enjoy their football.”

The league did find “shortcomings” in Montoya’s communication style. The investigators at the firm of Debevoise & Plimpton made a series of recommendations -- not only to Bay FC but to the entire NWSL -- to help facilitate healthy communication and add support structures.

The investigators stated that the league, Bay FC, and Montoya have already begun implementing those recommendations and will continue to address them in the future.

“Unfortunately, I wasn't at my best, maybe for certain times last year, for two or three players,” said Montoya, who twice spoke to investigators. “I'm not even sure which players those are, right? But it's taking that information and processing it.”

In a statement, Bay FC said the club is “grateful the league has identified opportunities for additional communication improvements which we are, and have been, implementing. We strive to be a player-centric club and will continue to work hard to make sure we have a supportive environment for our players.”

The accusations were first made public in a March 7 report in The San Francisco Chronicle, which quoted two unnamed former players who described the team culture as “toxic” in its inaugural season in 2024.

In a mid-season player survey sent out by the league, Bay FC ranked 11th out of 14 teams in overall player satisfaction. The publication noted that while most of the feedback focused on Montoya, players wanted more communication and transparency regarding the reasons behind certain lineup decisions.

“Players again desire clear communication from the coaching staff,” the report said, per the Chronicle. “Some players have requested one-on-one meetings that have been denied. Players also feel that the coaching staff avoids having difficult conversations.”

After reviewing the mid-season survey, Bay FC implemented a new communications framework.

By the end of the season, a fresh survey revealed that the team had improved to sixth in player satisfaction while becoming just the second NWSL expansion team to make the postseason in its inaugural year.

In strengthening its communications processes, Montoya now meets weekly with an executive leadership coach. He also holds weekly captain meetings, during which the team's leaders can relay any questions or concerns.

Additionally, players have weekly check-ins with members of the coaching staff, and meetings are held between sporting director Matt Potter and non-captain player representatives, who are encouraged to bring up any issues.

“I think we've implemented a lot of things coming into this year, like leadership group captains, more staff meetings, having an executive coach, and I think it's been really helpful,” Bay FC midfielder Tess Boade said Tuesday. “There's been a lot of things we've been doing to improve our communication within this organization.”

Two additional staff members were hired to give players additional support off the pitch. They’re charged with helping players with professional development, such as working with charities and training as coaches, as well as providing support for health and wellness.

A mental performance coach also meets twice a week with Montoya to discuss overall player emotions.

Montoya met with the team on Tuesday morning, and the organization plans to continue evolving its communication process to ensure the players’ voices are heard.

“Complaints came up, and I think the club took accountability, hired a third party, and we investigated it,” Boade said. “I think Albertin is taking ownership that he feels like he should have handled maybe certain communication aspects better. He's really working to improve on that, and implementing an open-door policy, like we've talked about.”

Bay FC made the playoffs in its NWSL first season. But the year was a tumultuous one, at best.

The club hired its first general manager, Lucy Rushton, less than a year before it would play its first game, though Rushton abruptly left the team after the team went 5-9 in its first 14 games.

Her first two picks in the 2024 NWSL draft, Savy King and Maya Doms, notably left the team after a single season. King started just 12 games and was traded to Angel City FC after the season, while Doms saw the field just once and has moved on to play professionally in Italy.

Several big-name players brought in last year saw minimal playing time and did not return for a second season.

And this spring, the club confusingly hired a scouting director, Graeme Abel, who had been accused of verbal harassment by more than a dozen former players at Oregon. Abel resigned from Bay FC less than a week after being hired.

Bay FC (4-3-6) enters Saturday’s home match against Angel City FC in 10th place in the NWSL standings, but the team said the lengthy investigation was not a distraction.

‘I think we did a really good job as a staff and as a team, as leaders, to make sure we stayed focused on our goals,” Boade said. “Happy to have it behind us, but I think we knew what's been going on within our walls, so we didn't feel stressed or overwhelmed with it.”