Lasso Shifts to Women's Football
Ted Lasso Season 4 Returns to London, Emphasizing Women's Football Amidst Familiar Themes
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Ted Lasso is back. After a three-year break, Jason Sudeikis returns to Apple TV+ for a fourth season of the hit soccer comedy — this time coaching AFC Richmond's first-ever women's team. The Guardian called it "TV's most wholesome football comedy," but critics are divided on whether the show has truly found a fresh direction or is simply running out of ideas.
Season 4 launched following what many assumed was a series finale. Season 3 ended with Ted leaving the UK to be with his son in Kansas. His return has been met with mixed reviews, with some outlets welcoming it and others arguing the show should have stayed retired. Variety summed it up bluntly, calling the new season "both a promising reboot and a tedious sequel."
Ted Returns to Coach a Women's Team From Scratch
The biggest change in Season 4 is the pivot to women's football. Ted Lasso takes over as head coach of AFC Richmond's newly formed women's side. The News-Herald described it as the show's most ambitious shake-up yet, noting the premiere is set in Kansas City before Ted heads back to England. The shift gives the series a built-in underdog story — but also a lot of new ground to cover fast.
New characters arrive alongside the familiar faces. Alice Chilton, played by Tanya Reynolds of Sex Education, joins as assistant coach. The Guardian noted that marketing manager Keeley, played by Juno Temple, is furious about being passed over for the top job in favour of a man. That tension sets up one of the season's key dramatic threads from the very first episode.
Critics Split on Whether the Show Has Learned Anything
Reviews have been sharply divided. Consequence argued the show "doesn't learn from the past's mistakes," saying Season 4 repeats familiar beats of kindness and reconciliation without building real tension. The Hollywood Reporter said the series "struggles to find anywhere interesting left to go," pointing to a lack of compelling storylines across the first few episodes.
Not everyone is so harsh. Metro called Season 4 "the best it's been in ages," while The News-Herald said the show "recovers from a bumpy start" as episodes progress. The Independent took a harder line, comparing the show to "an ageing striker" that limps on past its prime. The split in opinion mirrors the debate fans have had since Season 3 began to divide audiences.
Apple TV+ Has a Lot Riding on Ted's Return
The stakes are high for Apple TV+, not just the show. The Verge reported that Ted Lasso remains one of the platform's most important titles. The show put Apple TV+ on the map when it launched in 2020 and won multiple Emmy Awards across its first two seasons. Bringing it back after three years carries real risk — audiences have moved on, and expectations are sky-high.
Yahoo News noted that many fans and critics feel the show "should have stayed retired" after its Season 3 goodbye. IGN described the premiere as setting the stage for a "soft reboot," suggesting the writers know they need to reinvent rather than repeat. Whether the women's football storyline gives the show the new life it needs remains the central question hanging over the entire season.
The Show's Warmth Still Wins Fans, Flaws and All
Despite the criticism, Ted Lasso's core appeal — optimism, teamwork, and decency — remains intact. The San Francisco Chronicle noted the season is "slow to warm up" but does eventually find its footing. The show's signature blend of heart and humour is still present, even if the plotting feels overfamiliar. Fans of the original formula will likely stick around.
Football accuracy remains a running joke among sports fans. The Daily Mail flagged several football-based inaccuracies and what it called a "stiffly unreal vibe" in how the game is portrayed on screen. But for most viewers, that has never been the point. Ted Lasso was always about people, not football — and on that front, Season 4 still has enough warmth to keep the lights on.
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