Nathan Shelley, or Nate, has had a meteoric rise in Ted Lasso, from being a shy and rather unimportant kit-man to becoming a respected and valued member of AFC Richmond’s coaching staff. The change in job title has also come with a somewhat worrying shift in personality, with an alarming sense of uncertainty and unpredictability around it.
Nate has been exploring new ways to enjoy his success, but many signs are there for his newfound confidence to ultimately result in disaster, one way or another. Whether it is within himself, or him inflicting onto others, Nate’s formerly unassuming character has the potential to cause a colossal shift in the beloved show.
10 He Will Stop At Nothing To Get His Father’s Approval
While Nate was seen as the shy kit-man-turned-coach in the first season, his character has been explored more in the second season, learning more about what makes him such a naturally shy person. It turns out that his father is hard to please, and as Nate’s luck seems to turn for the better and he becomes more successful, he expects it to have a positive impact on his relationship with his father.
However, his father becomes even more difficult to please, despite him doing better and having the potential to make his father proud. This need to impress his father could well cause Nate to snap.
9 Success Is Gradually Getting To His Head
In Ted Lasso’s second season, Nate’s rise and success as a tactical genius in one game versus Tottenham gave him a certain expectation that he should instantly be given more responsibilities and general praise. When Ted is indisposed and Roy is unable to run a training session, Nate is still shy and indirect but is obviously wanting Coach Beard to allow him to take the session himself.
If Nate doesn’t generate the same level of success or at least get more respect due to his one act of tactical prowess, his frustration and deep-lying sense of entitlement are likely to bubble to the surface, potentially creating an unsavory environment.
8 Going From Bullying Victim To Bully Is Not Going To End Well
When Nate was shy and withdrawn with zero confidence, he was often picked on by the likes of Jamie, Colin, and Isaac. However, Season 2 sees Nate in a different light, with his newfound confidence and arrogance. Now with Will, the new kit-man in Nate’s previous role, being similarly withdrawn and quiet, he is, unfortunately, the subject of much abuse from Nate, who fails to see what he has become.
Nate also picks on Colin more than anyone else. Nate has no regard for Colin’s mental health and wellbeing, not knowing how hard his words are harming the player. If Nate continues to bully and humiliate, he could well cause some long-term damage to someone.
7 His Deeply Rooted Insecurities & Anxiety Are Likely To Resurface In A Big Way
Despite the upward trajectory of his career and status at AFC Richmond giving him extra confidence, Nate is still the same person at heart. The way he reacts when he sees a negative comment when scrolling through Twitter highlights that his insecurities are perhaps even more prevalent now due to his rise and general change in expectations.
Any further negative comments made towards him either from the general public or anyone within the club could do some permanent damage to Nate or even cause him to lash out like he did with Will, refusing to go back to his old self.
6 The Source Of His Brief Moment In The Spotlight Has Already Been Proven To Be Inconsistent
When Ted had to abruptly leave AFC Richmond’s game against Tottenham due to a panic attack, Nate stepped in and made a controversial decision to park the bus, which ultimately won them the game and branded him a genius and “Wonder Kid.”
Given Nate’s character arc, this display of tactical genius and all the praise that went with it has taken him hostage, bringing a layer of complacency with the assumption that he is good enough to deliver the goods all the time. In the next game in the series, the devastating thrashing at the hands of Manchester City, Nate’s only notable contribution is to swear at the referee and receive a card, forcing him to sit on the bench. Not shining on a regular basis could well cause Nate to snap.
5 Nate Has Shown Signs Of Jealousy & Fear That Roy Might Steal His Spotlight
Ted Lasso gave Nate all the attention and encouragement in the world, to see him rise from shy kit-man to valuable member of the coaching team, seeing a potential within him that no one else had ever acknowledged.
However, as soon as Roy returned to Richmond to join the coaching staff, subtle and not-so-subtle shots of Nate have revealed looks of jealousy and annoyance, towards Ted valuing Roy and his opinions over Nate. Whether Nate acts on this apparent jealousy or not, it still sows the seeds of discontent and the potential for something to boil over within the coaching staff.
4 He Could Ultimately Be The Reason For Breaking Up The Perfect Team Chemistry
AFC Richmond was divided in Season 1 while Jamie was there, but Jamie’s attitude change and general togetherness have brought the team together to an all-time morale high. The players hold Nate in high regard since his antics helped them win against the odds versus Tottenham, and if it ever came down to choosing sides between Ted and Nate, it could well cause a rift within the club.
All the signs of an impending disaster are there with general character building, and the two main directions for the series to go in are for the team to deal with a tragedy together or for the tragedy to tear the team apart. Any rip in the team and its togetherness will spell disaster for many of the characters.
3 He May Make An Ambitious Leap For Ted’s Job
The Twitter comments suggesting Nate could run his own team, following one good coaching display, have already planted seeds of overconfidence and delusion in his mind. In a desperate ploy to not be forgotten and leave the public eye, it would not be too unrealistic to imagine Nate putting himself first and sabotaging either Ted or another member of the coaching staff, in order to get noticed once again.
Something major would have to happen for him to take Ted’s role at Richmond, but with his recent character arc and descent within his ego, it is clear that he wouldn’t be above using deceit or blackmail to get what he wants. Alternatively, he could leave everything behind to pursue a managerial career, which would be destined to fail at such an early stage in his coaching career.
2 Deviating Away From His Likable Nature Could Well Burn Bridges & Friendships
Nate from the first season was a lovable introvert who would happily have continued in his job as kit-man as long as he wasn’t noticed or humiliated, but the kind-hearted Ted remembered his name and helped him become an integral member of the coaching staff.
Taking away Nate’s likable aspect due to his ego and newfound confidence could certainly burn bridges and end friendships, leaving him worse off than he was before.
1 His Assertive Technique Could Lead To An Awful Moment
After Keeley and Rebecca helped Nate find a technique to improve his confidence in a powerful and assertive way, Nate put a spin on it with him spitting, before completely changing character into an over-confident and more aggressive persona.
While it has seen him stand up for himself, demanding a better table at a restaurant and winning a game for Richmond with genius tactical changes, it also appears to make him step out of his comfort zone and forgo risk and caution. This could easily see him overstep and make a bad spur-of-the-moment decision with consequences.
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