Introduction to Ted Lasso
Ted Lasso is an American sports comedy television series created by Bill Lawrence and Jason Sudeikis. It premiered on Apple TV+ on August 14, 2020. The series stars Sudeikis as the title character, an American football coach hired to manage a fictional Premier League football club, AFC Richmond. It follows him as he navigates the challenges of a foreign sport and culture, with the assistance of his assistant coach, Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt).
The series has been praised for its humor, heart, and message of acceptance and positivity. Critics have also noted its themes of hope and perseverance. The series has been critically acclaimed, with the first season earning 11 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Sudeikis.
Is Ted Lasso Based on Real Teams?
The fictional club in Ted Lasso, AFC Richmond, is not based on any real team. The showrunners revealed that the team is a composite of several different teams. They drew inspiration from a range of teams, including the Premier League’s Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, and West Ham. They also included elements from teams in lower divisions, such as the National League’s Bromley and Sutton United.
The team’s name, AFC Richmond, is a combination of the names of two clubs. The “AFC” stands for “Association Football Club” and is used by many English clubs, while the “Richmond” part of the name was inspired by the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
Ted Lasso’s Football Style
The football style of Ted Lasso, played by AFC Richmond, is based on the possession-based style of many Premier League clubs. The team’s philosophy is to keep the ball on the ground and to play the ball out from the back, creating chances through quick passing and movement.
The showrunners have also drawn inspiration from the German “gegenpressing” system, where the team presses high up the pitch in order to win the ball back quickly. This style is used by many top Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City.
AFC Richmond’s Uniform
The team’s uniform is also based on real teams. The home kit is inspired by the kit of Tottenham Hotspur, with the away kit inspired by the kit of West Ham United. The club crest is a combination of the crests of both teams, with the shield shape of Tottenham, and the Hammer and Castle of West Ham.
Ted Lasso’s Coaching Staff
The coaching staff at Ted Lasso’s AFC Richmond is based on real Premier League coaches. The head coach, Ted Lasso, is loosely based on the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, José Mourinho. His assistant coach, Coach Beard, is based on the former assistant manager of Tottenham, João Sacramento.
Ted Lasso’s Players
The players on Ted Lasso’s AFC Richmond are a mix of real and fictional players. The showrunners have based some of the players on real-life Premier League players, such as the team captain, Roy Kent, who is loosely based on Tottenham’s captain, Hugo Lloris.
AFC Richmond’s Rivals
The rival clubs of Ted Lasso’s AFC Richmond are also based on real teams. The main rival is Manchester City, who are based on the real Premier League club of the same name. The other rivals are West Ham United, based on the London club, and Fulham, based on the team from the West London borough of the same name.
Ted Lasso’s Tactics
The tactics used by Ted Lasso’s AFC Richmond are also inspired by real clubs. The team’s tactics are based on the possession-based style of play used by many Premier League clubs. The team’s style of play is also based on the gegenpressing system used by Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City.
AFC Richmond’s Stadium
The stadium featured in Ted Lasso, the Richmond Arena, is based on the real-life Craven Cottage, the home of Fulham FC. The showrunners have also drawn inspiration from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Emirates Stadium.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ted Lasso is not based on any one real team. The showrunners drew inspiration from a range of teams, including Premier League clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, and West Ham. They also included elements from teams in lower divisions, such as Bromley and Sutton United. The team’s uniform, coaching staff, players, rivals, tactics, and stadium are all based on real teams. The show’s themes of hope and perseverance have resonated with audiences and critics alike, making it one of the most talked-about series of 2020.