Ted Lasso

About Ted Lasso

Think about your favourite team in any sport. Now imagine a person with no experience or knowledge about the sport is brought on as the new head coach. Most people would agree that that would be a horrible decision. But that is exactly what happens in this comedy series Ted Lasso. Jason Sudeikis portrays the protagonist Ted Lasso who recently won the Division II NCAA Championship with Wichita State. He is brought on to coach the fictional Premier League team AFC Richmond despite having no experience or even any knowledge in the sport of soccer. Fans, players and Richmond staff are confused, with the team struggling as it is to not get relegated.

Early on we find out the reason for this. Rebecca Welton is the new owner of the club after a divorce settlement with her cheating husband who previously owned it. Still furious, Welton wants to completely ruin the team, the only thing her ex really loved. Whether it's trying to get the press to catch Lasso in a compromising situation, or taking away key players, nothing seems off the table in her plot for revenge. But with Lasso's constant kindness and daily delicious secret biscuits brought in, she finds it an increasingly difficult situation. It's a moral decision lingering in the air, come clean or continue to put Richmond down. 

Ted Lasso's Relation To Sport Business

Being a soccer comedy is great enough, but along with that we get a glimpse into the world of ownership and behind the scenes looks at a soccer club. As previously mentioned, Rebecca Welton is the new majority owner of the club after a bitter divorce from her husband. We see her need for revenge as an example of very poor ownership for a team. Rather than push for success, she does the exact opposite, preferring to get them relegated. She starts this by firing their current coach and hiring Ted Lasso. She even tries to get a photo published of Lasso and one of his players', Jamie Tartt's, girlfriend in an awkward moment that was completely innocent but would very much be spun differently in the media. It's already a rocky relationship between Tartt and Lasso so this pressure would further do damage to gaining trust. Tartt, although very arrogant is very talented. And just when things start to get a little better, Welton allows Manchester City to pull him away from his loan to Richmond. All of these, while done on purpose, show what kind of damage can be done with bad ownership.

Behind the scenes, we get a look at Lasso and his interactions with the team and the media. It's clear from the beginning that Lasso cares more about the people at the club or any team he's with than he does about success. And yes, he literally tells a reporter he isn't concerned about wins or losses after being asked about a small locker room party for a homesick player.  We see him give the kit man, Nathan the attention he never received before and even asks him for advice on a play. Something the same reporter highly questions about Lasso's own abilities. Eventually, a time comes when he must make the decision to bench an ageing player for the good of the team, but he finds it difficult and something that could ruin his confidence so is hesitant. Although he has a good heart and means well and very clearly cares a lot about his players, it is not an ideal way to lead a team. You need to know when to be strong and put your foot down when you need to and his assistant coach shows this in a burst of anger, telling him it's what he has to do.

Why watch Ted Lasso?

And after a watch of season 1, you'll be dying to see what comes next! If you don't have any soccer knowledge, that's completely fine too. Seeing as neither does the main character, a new soccer coach. If you ARE a soccer fan, you'll be in your seat, thinking of your own club you support and cheering AFC Richmond on as they fight against the odds of better teams and their ownership. You'll see what it means to play as a team and to believe while also getting in some laughs. So, if you haven't already watched it, and have some time on your hands, I definitely recommend Ted Lasso as a must-watch!

12 Leadership Lessons from Ted Lasso

1. Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing
2. Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing
3. All people are different people
4. See good in others
5. Courage is about being willing to try
6. Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness
7. Tell the truth
8. Winning is an attitude and is not everything
9. Optimists do more
10. Stay teachable
11. Be a Goldfish - If you do something wrong do not let it define you. Forget it - like a goldfish - within 10 seconds.
12. Happiness is a choice

Trailer & Extras