Now that the 2026 FIFA World Cup is over, fans are waiting for the top European leagues to begin their 2026/27 campaigns.
In the background, however, qualifying rounds for Champions League, Europa League and Conference Leagues are in full swing. Some of these rounds have seen huge upsets take place.
One such upset transpired as Rangers FC, Scotland’s second-most successful football club, faced off against Polish side Jagiellonia Białystok in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.
Heading into the tie, many expected the Scots to breeze through, considering the fact that they possessed a significantly higher European pedigree, budget, and squad value than the Ekstraklasa side. As the old adage goes, however, football is played on the pitch and not on paper.
Over the two legs, Jagiellonia Białystok put in spirited performances both home and away, beating Rangers 2-1 at the Chorten Arena and securing a vital 1-1 draw at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow.
To mastermind his team to success, it appears Jagiellonia’s manager, Adrian Siemieniec, took inspiration from hugely popular sports comedy series “Ted Lasso”.
In the show, American football coach Ted Lasso, played by Jason Sudeikis, guides his team, AFC Richmond, using a coaching philosophy mphasizing empathy, relationships, confidence and getting the best out of players.
Adrian Siemieniec’s style is said to be quite similar in nature, and this has also earned him the nickname of “Ted PodLasso”.
In fact, this is not the only similarity both individuals share.
Within Jagiellonia Białystok’s dressing room, positive affirmations such as “Believe”, “Courage”, and “Passion” are taped to the wall, right beside the door. This is also something that Siemieniec has taken from the popular show, wherein Ted Lasso uses a big “Believe” sign to inspire the AFC Richmond players.
Fans have also fully bought into the comparisons, even creating a tifo referencing Adrian Siemieniec’s similarity to Ted Lasso.
Back in 2024, when Jagiellonia Białystok won the Polish Championship, fans showed love to their head coach by displaying a Ted Lasso-inspired tifo at Chorten Arena.
Credit – X
Siemieniec himself has embraced these comparisons, admitting the show was a point of inspiration for him. Unlike the fictional character, however, he is still very much a serious coach who boasts plenty of tactical knowledge to go with his charisma.
After getting the better of Rangers FC, Siemieniec and his men now face FC Iberia 1999, formerly known as FC Saburtalo. With all due respect to the Georgian team, FC Iberia is a considerable step down in quality when compared to Jagiellonia Białystok’s previous opponents, and the Polish outfit will be favourites to progress in this matchup.
If everything goes to plan, the ‘Polish Ted Lasso’ should be able to take his team to a major European competition for only the ninth time in their history.
