Non-league boss and ex-Prem star in FA Cup third round 'played for Man City' in Ted Lasso
George Elokobi will be leading out Maidstone United in their first FA Cup third round tie since 1992 but there'll be some fans who only know the former Prem ace from his cameo on a hit TV show
George Elokobi once played for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola - but only for the purposes of Ted Lasso.
The former Premier League star enjoyed an 18-year football career in England, most notably spending six years at Wolves before ending his career lower down the English football pyramid with the likes of Leyton Orient and Aldershot Town.
The Cameroonian hung up his boots in 2022 after a three-year stint with Maidstone United, before going on to manage the non-league side in March 2023.
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The 37-year-old has led Maidstone on a miraculous FA Cup run that will see the Stones compete in their first third-round tie in the competition since 1992 when they host League One side Stevenage on Saturday (January 6).
While most football fans will be aware of Elokobi thanks to his playing and managerial career, there is a small sample of people out there that recognise him through a brief cameo he made on hit TV show, Ted Lasso. Elokobi appeared as a Manchester City player during an episode of the Apple TV production when Lasso, played by Jason Sudeikis, took his Richmond side to take on Pep Guardiola's team.
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Elokobi was joined by one-time England international Jay Bothroyd, who also sported the sky blue kit in the sports-comedy show. The brief appearance sums up the Maidstone boss' acting career as he continues his work with the non-league side who hope to continue their lengthy FA Cup run.
Their 2-1 win against League Two Barrow last month booked their third-placed tie in a victory Elokobi admitted he got emotional after. "Barrow showed us respect which was wonderful, but I think we deserved to get through," he told the Gazette Standard.
"I got emotional after the game but those emotions were for everyone here, the players, the fans and all the staff and the community of Maidstone. The whole place is buzzing after that, the whole community is, so let’s see where this result takes us now."