Is AFC Richmond A Real Team? What Ted Lasso’s Football Club Is Based On

While Ted Lasso began as the story of the titular folksy lead character, it grew to be about AFC Richmond as a whole which led some to wonder if the soccer club is real. Starring Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series’ success has raised awareness of football for American audiences, who know it as soccer. While the premise of an American football coach being recruited to coach a Premier League soccer club is ridiculous, the show’s exploration of the sport is more accurate than some might think.

Ted Lasso was initially set up to fail with AFC Richmond, but his positive attitude and caring nature helped to make the entire organization come together in a way that few thought they could. It makes for a charming underdog story set in the very real world of a sport filled with passionate fans. The attention to detail in the series has helped Ted Lasso’s AFC Richmond earn a reputation and led to some speculation about how much of the story is real.

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AFC Richmond Is Inspired By Real Teams

Ted Lasso‘s attention to detail is so thorough and persuasive that American fans may be surprised to learn that the Ted Lasso football team is a fictional club. AFC Richmond is partly based on Crystal Palace F.C., based in South London. Crystal Palace’s team, nicknamed The Eagles, plays in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Richmond is a real part of London but the area’s football team, Hampton & Richmond Borough F.C., plays in the National League South, five divisions below the English Premier League. Ted Lasso also filmed at the Eagles’ Selhurst Park football ground, although Crystal Palace exists in the show.

Ted Lasso has done an excellent job of creating the illusion that the Ted Lasso football team is a real club, complete with adopting Crystal Palace’s colors of red and blue. Boosting AFC Richmond’s convincing authenticity, the show has created a ton of AFC Richmond merchandise for sale so that fans can wear the colors of the Ted Lasso football team.

This even includes being able to purchase personalized AFC Richmond jerseys, as well as the requisite T-shirts, hats, mugs, and stickers. Part of the magic of Ted Lasso is the fictional AFC Richmond looks and feels as real as the biscuits Ted Lasso brings Rebecca every episode.

Ted Lasso shoots at Crystal Palace F.C.’s pitch to generate a palpable authenticity. The series even agreed to let the Eagles beat AFC Richmond on the show as payment for letting Ted Lasso use their stadium. Plus, many American fans don’t know the difference between English soccer clubs and Ted Lasso plays into this since it reflects the mustachioed coach’s own ignorance of the sport. For some Ted Lasso fans, AFC Richmond is their first real exposure to the game, but the show’s world is endearingly believable.

The Cameos Add To The Realism Of The Series

What really blurs the line between the Ted Lasso football team and reality is that AFC Richmond played several teams from the real world on the show. The real players on those teams even appeared in the show as fictional versions of themselves. There are also several real-world pundits on Ted Lasso, often mocking the manager and his approach to the game.

Thierry Henry has the biggest role of any pundit on the show, as he actually gets called out many times with Coach Beard often yelling “Shut up Thierry Henry” more than once in the series. Gary Lineker, Chris Kamara, Jeff Stelling, and Arlo White also appear as versions of themselves.

As for the teams, AFC Richmond plays real clubs like Everton and Manchester City in the series. Not only that but there are many fictional characters in the series who are based on real-life footballers, including Roy Kent himself, who is based on Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane.

Possibly, the biggest addition to the cast that helped set the Ted Lasso football team in the real world was the arrival of Pep Guardiola when AFC Richmond played Manchester City. Guardiola currently manages Manchester City in real life and is one of the greatest managers in European football history, making this the best Ted Lasso cameo in the show’s three seasons.

Many AFC Richmond Players Are Also Based On Real Athletes

Key Characters Drew Inspiration From Notable Players

While AFC Richmond might be fictional, several standout players are also inspired by real life. Several Ted Lasso characters are based on real footballers with similarities in their careers or styles of play. While the personalities of these players are sometimes reminiscent of real sports figures, these characters also evolved into their own distinct characters who suited the story of the show.

The passionate and talented character of Mexican player Dani Rojas has been compared to a number of players, most notably Javier “Chicharito” Hernández. Like the fictional Rojas, Hernández also comes from the Mexican city of Guadalajara and played in his native country until joining the Premier League. The lovably gruff Roy Kent is introduced as a beloved player who is perhaps past his prime and nearing the end of his athletic career which often fuels his anger. Similar to Kent, real-life player Gary Cahill transferred from Chelsea to Crystal Palace for the end of his career.

Another key player in the show is the initially arrogant yet undeniably talented Jamie Tartt. With him being viewed as one of the star players of the league, many comparisons have been drawn between Tartt and some of the biggest names in the sport, like David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. Many also pointed out that Tartt often resembles Ronaldo in looks and being more engaged with his celebrity. Finally, while the eccentric and talented player Zava didn’t last long on the show, actor Maximilian Osinski admitted to reading footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović’s biography to prepare for the role (via Today).

Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is an American football coach who moves to England when he’s hired to manage a struggling soccer team despite having no experience. With cynical players and a doubtful town, Ted will have to convince them that he’s fit for the job. Ted Lasso has become one of Apple TV Plus’ most successful shows, earning over 10 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Jeremy Swift , Phil Dunster , Hannah Waddingham , Nick Mohammed , Brendan Hunt , Jason Sudeikis , Brett Goldstein , Juno Temple , Toheeb Jimoh , James Lance

Release Date

August 14, 2020

Seasons

3

Streaming Service(s)

Apple TV+

Showrunner

Bill Lawrence