Vilnius has extended an unusual invitation to Jason Sudeikis, the star and creator of the hit TV series Ted Lasso, asking him to step into the role of a real-life football coach and lead the city’s women’s team in a league match this autumn.
The initiative is a joint effort by Vilnius Žalgiris Football Club, the city’s tourism and business development agency Go Vilnius, and Lithuanian media outlet Laisvės TV. The organisations have officially invited Sudeikis to visit Lithuania and take charge of the Žalgiris women’s team as head coach for at least one week.
The invitation comes as the fourth season of Ted Lasso introduces a new storyline in which Sudeikis’ character, an American football coach, takes responsibility for managing a women’s team.
The Apple TV+ series has become a global success, earning 139 nominations and winning 40 awards. Vilnius officials said they want to give the Lithuania-born actor the chance to bring the fictional storyline to life by coaching one of the country’s leading women’s football teams in the A Lyga league.
Organisers said Sudeikis would have complete tactical freedom, supported by a professional coaching team, to make sure his real-world coaching experience does not turn into “too realistic” an episode of Ted Lasso.
If Sudeikis accepts the offer, Vilnius plans to create a special experience for him beyond the football pitch. The city said it would take inspiration from Coach Beard, Ted Lasso’s assistant in the series, who is famous for his curiosity and passion for exploring unusual places.
Andrius Tapinas, president of Vilnius Žalgiris and head of Laisvės TV, said the project aims not only to attract global attention to women’s football but also to highlight Vilnius’ creativity and sense of humour to millions of Ted Lasso fans around the world.
“Remember the famous yellow ‘Believe’ sign in Ted Lasso’s locker room?” Tapinas said. “Here in Vilnius, we believe in Ted 100%. That is why we are offering him and the legendary Coach Beard a real challenge, a real team, and a real A Lyga match.”
Egle Girdzijauskaitė, communications director at Go Vilnius, said the campaign reflects the city’s tradition of promoting itself through bold and unexpected ideas.
“Vilnius has always been known for seeing itself from a different perspective — with courage, creativity, and a touch of irony,” she said.
According to organisers, the invitation has already reached people close to Sudeikis. A social media campaign has also been launched to encourage the actor and the creators of Ted Lasso to accept the challenge.
A women’s A Lyga match featuring Sudeikis on the Žalgiris sideline is tentatively scheduled to take place in Vilnius this autumn.