The Season 3 opener of Led Lasso commences with an uncharacteristically unshaven Ted Lasso standing at the bustling airport, bidding farewell to his cherubic son, Henry, after a blissful six-week bonding in England. Ted reluctantly entrusts Henry to the accompanying flight attendant's care, cautioning him to steer clear of watching the horror flick, "It," on the plane this time. Before bidding adieu, Henry presents Ted with a miniature Premier League trophy as a token of appreciation.
As Ted trudges back home, he dials his therapist, Sharon. While tidying up the blanket forts and scattered toys in his apartment, his voice resonates with guilt over sending Henry off alone. He ponders over the purpose of his continued stay in England, knowing the reason for his arrival yet uncertain of his current impact. Sharon wisely reminds him that only action can dispel doubt. Ted attempts to delve into Sharon's personal life, but she deflects with vague yet appropriate responses. The call ends, and Sharon retires to her bedroom where a gentleman awaits.
Rebecca and Leslie engage in a discussion, lamenting the season's predictions that have pegged Richmond at the bottom, occupying the dismal 20th spot. Ted enters the fray, his optimism intact. Leslie ponders if they should scout for fresh talent, but Ted assures them they're well-equipped. Rebecca, however, is resolute in her desire to see Richmond vanquish West Ham, now under the stewardship of Rupert and Nate. She heads to Keeley's lavish new PR office, where the two ladies greet each other with squeals of elation.
Inside the locker room, the Richmond lads grapple with the predictions, Jan Mass offering unhelpful statistics about new teams being the first to be relegated. The coaches convene, and Roy advocates for sticking to the 4-4-2 strategy throughout the season. He believes relying on a steadfast plan surpasses clever maneuvers.
Meanwhile, Nate, now Coach Shelley, strides into his fancy office in a prestigious building, his new workplace. A man briefly interrupts, greeting him as "Wonder Kid," prompting Nate to dismiss him before returning to his malicious Twitter feed.
Ted and Beard came to a realization that the boys' focus was being severely distracted by pundit predictions, hampering their training sessions. They instructed Will, the diligent kit man, to convey their request to Kenneth to bring the team bus around.
Rebecca confessed her anxiety to Keeley about Ted's apparent lack of concern for the Richmond match, but Keeley assured her that Ted would be Ted in his own way. She admitted that while earlier she had wanted to destroy everything associated with Rupert, now her sole desire was to defeat him and emerge victorious. Keeley saw this as a sign of progress.
Barbara, Keeley's diligent CFO, entered the room and admonished her for spending an exorbitant amount on flowers every week. She also informed Rebecca that she and Roy would be having a discussion with Phoebe later that evening.
Nate was meticulously training the West Ham team with aggressive strategies and the innovative use of a 'dumb-dumb-line'. Suddenly, Rupert's secretary summoned him for a meeting with Rupert, who had just returned from a much-needed vacation. Rupert was elated by the pundit predictions, and his joy was further compounded when he encountered Nate's car parked in a prestigious spot. Initially, he intended to have it towed away, but upon realizing it belonged to Nate, he graciously let it slide.
Kenneth, a hippie and former cult leader, arrived to drop off the team. Ted led them to a manhole, issuing instructions for them to descend into the murky sewers. A pair of curious construction workers caught sight of this unusual sight and snapped a few pictures.
Meanwhile, Leslie and Rebecca prepared to watch Rupert's eagerly anticipated press release.
In the dimly lit sewers, Ted recounted the story of Henry's fascination with the underground tunnels, which prompted his desire for a tour. The guide spoke of how the sewer system had played a pivotal role in preventing a cholera epidemic by preventing untreated waste from flowing into the Thames.
At the press conference, Rupert skillfully maneuvered Nate onto the podium. Initially, Nate appeared unsettled, resorting to a feigned shoelace tying maneuver to gather his composure. When a journalist probed if he felt overwhelmed ascending from a mere kit man to a coach, Nate responded defiantly, branding the query asinine and declaring that he had earned his position.
Down in the sewers, the players inquisitively questioned Ted about their current endeavor. He metaphorically explained that their minds were clogged with others' "mental droppings" and they required an internal drainage system to purge all unnecessary waste. Instead, they should rely on mutual learning. Anything superfluous should simply flow away.
During the press conference, someone raised the image of Richmond's team descending into the manhole, providing Nate with an opportunity to lash out at Ted, labeling him a "dismal" coach. This outburst sparked Rebecca's ire.
Back at the training facility, the news of Nate's derogatory remarks quickly spread, but Jamie wisely reminded the team to treat it as mere "mental droppings" and let it wash away. The coaches, meanwhile, were commendably proud of their team's resilience.
Rebecca confronts Ted with her distress, making it abundantly clear that everyone, including Rupert, is mocking their situation. She urges him to stand up for himself. Ted holds a press conference, where he boldly declares to the assembled journalists that, despite the odds, his spirit remains unwavering.
The new reporter from The Independent probes him about Nate's scathing remarks. Ted retorts with a wry smile, claiming that Nate's insults were indeed amusing, yet they lacked the intended cutting edge. He then proceeds to make light of himself, and soon the entire crowd of reporters is caught up in the merriment. Even Rebecca recognizes the wisdom in allowing Ted to be his unfettered self.
Nate is enraged by the response to Ted's press conference. To compound his misery, a text from his mother informs him that his father is displeased with his on-air outburst. Suddenly, Rupert's secretary arrives, presenting him with a small box containing the keys to a brand-new car. Nate eagerly steps into the luxurious vehicle and speeds away.
Roy and Keeley indulge Phoebe in a scoop of ice cream before dinner, and then break the heartbreaking news of their separation. However, they assure her that she can still see Keeley as often as she wishes. When Phoebe demands a reason, Roy explains that they're both busier than ever. On the journey home, Phoebe chastises Roy for being foolish.
As Ted and Beard stroll home, Ted reflects on their reasons for staying in England. Once at home, he speaks to Henry over the phone, displaying the tiny trophy nestled amidst the Lego football field they've constructed together. Henry inquisitively asks why Nate is positioned off to the side, reminding Ted that they can maintain their friendship despite being on opposing teams.
Ted places the Nate figurine among the rest of the players. He queries Henry if he realizes that Ted's distance from him is due to something significant. Henry assures him that they're destined to win. Ted agrees that winning isn't everything, but Henry insists he must strive for it. He then reveals a toy infinity gauntlet, a gift from Jake, who happens to be Henry's mother's friend.
