‘We ask you to believe in us’ – How FK Žalgiris are trying to convince Jason Sudeikis’ Ted Lasso to coach a real-life women’s soccer game

And in all seriousness, there is a genuine footballing element here.

Tapinas is in charge of both the men’s and women’s teams at Žalgiris. The two are in mightily different positions. The men’s side is on the verge of consistently competing for Europe. They are the most successful side in Lithuanian football history, with 11 first division titles. In 2022, they became the first Lithuanian club to reach the group stage of a UEFA club competition, qualifying for the Europa Conference League. The club had serious financial trouble in 2009, but has since emerged to great success.

There is a culture of winning here, then, and perhaps a little bit of history to live up to, as well. Tapinas likes that challenge, though. In fact, he thinks that the women’s team might just have a far higher ceiling than the men’s.

“I actually have a bet with the co-owners. I said ‘our women’s team will come compete in the Champions League faster than our men’s team will compete in the Champions League,'” Tapinas said with a chuckle.

He argues, too, that there are elements of the show that might just give the team a lift. Lasso’s character is the misfit that was never meant to work out, first hired to sabotage the men’s team. Whether by accident or genius, the very much fictional coach takes the imaginary club to the top of the Premier League. To do that, he sells a dream and instills a mentality.

Whether you take that seriously or not is pretty much irrelevant. That idea of belief, Tapinas said, is universal.

“I would say to him, ‘You know, Jason, you spent five years convincing people that Ted Lasso is real, and to believe in Ted Lasso. Now we ask you to believe in us,'” he said.