🔗 Share this article

The emblem is bigger than any manager,” the new Forest boss stated at his unveiling as Nottingham Forest’s manager, sporting a training top with his monogram. Subsequently, amended his statement. “Well, there was one manager who was likely as important as the crest – everyone recognizes who that was.”} Then came, an imitation of the legendary manager, an attempt at that distinctive drawl. Lad, well done,’” he said, reminiscing about his three years as a youth player at the City Ground, the days he spent wandering down the Trent, with Del Boy, whizzing past him and his manager’s voice always within earshot.

The coach tells a anecdote of how, as a youngster, he and a couple of mates tended the manager's yard at his home in the area. Our weekly wage was minimal and he gave you a tenner to tend his lawn. So we really thought: ‘This is decent.’ He’d prepare food for you and make sure you were well looked after. It was rather enjoyable, not too much yard work.”

For Dyche, this moment has been a long time in the making. He resides in the area and has a fondness for the club. In recent years, he and his long-term coach his deputy, who was part of the Nottingham Forest side the last time they were in Europe, in 1995‑96, have sometimes visited the West Bridgford cafe where club icons such as Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and a famous name gather every week to talk old and new tales. He will have to skip it this week to get ready for the visit of the Portuguese side, undefeated this campaign, in the Europa League on this week.

I can't wait to meeting the miracle men,” remarked the manager, who replaced the previous coach to become Forest’s third head coach of the season. “They will give me a bit of ear-holing if I fail to deliver, so I must secure some games for them. Those guys are important to me. A great deal of supporters recognise the legacy of this institution. I’ve got my own and now I’ve got a opportunity to reshape my personal story, I guess, as manager.”

The new boss oversaw the team practice for the first time on Tuesday, three days after Postecoglou watched a three-nil home loss by the London club that placed the club in the Premier League drop zone. Ryan Yates, who joined aged eight, admitted these are just the start but Dyche and his team have eased some of the negativity.

His backroom team includes another club icon in Steve Stone, as well as Billy Mercer and Tony Loughlan, both of whom featured for the club. “I feel like a massive strength of this club is fostering the connection between the supporters, players and manager and, frankly, the recent period we haven’t had a positive feeling around here,” Yates stated. “The new manager and his assistants have brought that feeling of life and energy.”

Dyche made clear he does not understand the club like the inside out” considering his latest experience at Forest has been as an rival manager, but he believes he has a wider understanding of the environment and demands. The house rules have been laid. “I’ve let them wear white socks, for heaven's sake,” the manager commented. I expect my former teammates caning me on WhatsApp. But they’re forbidden to wear snoods or headgear … I had to make a deal somewhere.”

Forest have lost their past four matches and failed to secure a victory since the start of the season. Dyche mentioned the owner, Evangelos Marinakis, recognised the significance of stabilising things. He faced the Greek billionaire in the European competition with his former club, when his team lost in a playoff against the Greek side in 2018. After the first leg Dyche expressed anger at club officials, including Marinakis, approaching the referees at the break in the stadium. “We had a bit of a giggle,” he said.

One aspect of his attraction is his image for building sides with strong bases, pertinent for a side without a clean sheet in 20 matches. “I’ve been put in many boxes, I’m not bothered,” he said. I don't avoid behind what’s successful. It’s no point of pride to me. In the past people were saying: ‘Why do you rely on set pieces?’ Now they’re popular. Tight trousers, flared jeans, skinny jeans, bell-bottoms … my child hammers me for any jeans I wear. It seems on social media even I got some criticism for my shoes arriving at practice [on Tuesday] … couldn’t believe that. Tom Ford [trainers] but, anyway, don’t like to bring it up it.”

The manager is pleased that his early career were at Forest but believes that should not mean he or his team are evaluated in a special way. “There’s no shortcut with the fans, but we do care, that’s a point I believe can ever be questioned,” he remarked. My only aspiration was wearing the jersey, but I never got to achieve it. Steve Stone and Woany did, Billy played as a temporary goalkeeper, Tony Loughlan wore it and scored a strike. I was the only one who didn’t and they constantly tell me of that.

“For me to have that connection of it is a big thing for me personally. But it doesn't grant me a special privilege, believe me. The supporters expect me to win. If I’m not winning, the fans are going to criticize me because that’s the way supporters behave and I’ve got no problem with that because that’s the reality. I was at the club as a kid and didn't get to wear the shirt, the badge. Now, currently, I’m sitting with it on me.”