Ted Lasso is returning to Apple TV+ for an unexpected fourth season, prompting a look back at how the acclaimed comedy left things at the end of Season 3, which had originally aired as a de facto series finale. The show, which debuted in August 2020 and won multiple Emmys including Outstanding Comedy Series, followed American football coach Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) as he took charge of English football club AFC Richmond, initially hired by owner Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) to fail deliberately.

By the Season 3 finale, AFC Richmond had turned their fortunes around to finish second in the Premier League, a marked improvement from their earlier struggles. Having grown emotionally throughout the season and considering his mission accomplished, Ted chose to leave the club and return to the United States to be closer to his son, Henry, with the finale closing on him coaching his son's football team back home. The article also notes a subplot involving Rebecca and Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) pitching a women's team for AFC Richmond.