5 Smart Football References in Ted Lasso You Might Have Missed

Ted Lasso is just plain funny. You don't need to understand (or even like) football to enjoy the show. But fans of the game may have noticed a few little hints to its real-life counterpart.

For those who missed them, here are 5 clever football references from Ted Lasso:

1. The Crystal Palace link

In season 1, during a team talk, Ted says, 'Now let's go out there and show Crystal Palace whose home this is!'

In the context of the show, it's a pretty innocuous remark. But in reality, it's a nod to the fact that Selhurst Park (home of Crystal Palace) is the ground used for filming match days in the series.

2. The missing 8

After McAdoo is named captain, he begins his first 'countdown' by saying 'Richmond on 12'. He then proceeds to omit '8' from his countdown. Plenty of people noticed this but may not have understood the reason for it.

While Premier League players now have squad numbers, traditionally there were only 11 numbered shirts, and each signified a particular position. Number 3 was always left back, number 9 was centre forward, and so on.

Back then, number 8 was the box-to-box midfield player. Those numbers are no longer in use, but you will still hear fans refer to players being 'a number 10' or a 'number 8'. So, leaving out number 8 was a little homage to Roy.

3. The controversial Super League

This wasn't just a story in the show – it happened in real life. In April 2021, plans for a European Super League primarily formed from Europe's elite clubs were announced, causing huge controversy in the game.

Originally, England's Big Six (Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal) all came out in support of it. But in the face of massive pressure from fans, other clubs, politicians and pretty much everybody else in the world, they gradually withdrew support, and the idea was put to bed (at least for the time being).

4. Nate's change of style

Check out Nate's dress sense and swagger after he becomes manager of West Ham, and you might notice that he replicates a former Premier League manager who is now plying his trade at Roma.

Everything about Nate's style resembles Jose Mourinho (particularly in his first spell at Chelsea) and this is sure to be deliberate. Mourinho is a manager who knows how to manipulate the media and cast himself as the pantomime villain.

By effectively dressing Nate up as Jose, the showrunners gave a nod to the manager that opposition fans love to hate.

5. Authentic chants

Throughout the series, the chants heard in the background during games are usually consistent with Richmond's opposition (eg, You'll Never Walk Alone when they play Liverpool).

And 'Jamie Tartt dododododo' (to the tune of Baby Shark), although fictional, is exactly what British fans would sing for him.

Source: Reddit.