🔗 Share this article

The emblem is more significant than any manager,” the new Forest boss stated at his introduction as the club's manager, wearing a training kit with his initials. He then, amended his statement. “Well, there was one manager who was probably as big as the badge – we all know who that was.”} Then came, an impression of Brian Clough, an attempt at that unique drawl. Lad, well done,’” he recalled, reminiscing about his three years as a trainee at the City Ground, the period he spent wandering down the Trent, with Del Boy, whizzing past him and his boss's voice always within hearing range.

The coach shares a story of how, as a youngster, he and a couple of mates looked after Clough’s yard at his home in the area. Our weekly wage was minimal and he gave you a tenner to do his lawn. So we really thought: ‘This is decent.’ He’d cook for you and ensure you were cared for. It was rather enjoyable, not too much gardening.”

In his case, the appointment has been a long time in the planning. He resides in the city and has a affection for the club. In recent years, he and his longstanding coach Ian Woan, who was a member of the Nottingham Forest squad the last time they were in Europe, in the mid-90s, have sometimes visited the West Bridgford cafe where Forest legends such as Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and a famous name meet every week to discuss stories from past and present. He will have to skip it this week to get ready for the arrival of Porto, unbeaten this season, in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the club legends,” said Dyche, who replaced Ange Postecoglou to become the team's third head coach of the season. I'll get an earful if I don’t do too well, so I better win some matches for them. Those fellows mean a lot to me. A great deal of Forest fans appreciate the legacy of this club. I’ve got my own and now I’ve got a chance to reinvent my own history, I guess, as coach.”

The new boss oversaw the team training for the initial session on this week, three days after his predecessor oversaw a 3‑0 at home defeat by the London club that placed the club in the top division drop zone. Ryan Yates, who joined aged eight, admitted these are just the start but he and his team have eased some of the gloom.

Dyche’s staff includes another Forest hero in a former player, as well as Billy Mercer and Tony Loughlan, both of whom featured for the team. In my view a massive asset of this organization is getting the bond between the fans, players and manager and, frankly, the recent period we haven’t had a good atmosphere around here,” the captain said. Dyche and his staff have brought that feeling of life and energy.”

He made clear he doesn't “know the team like the inside out” given his most recent encounter at Forest has been as an opposition boss, but he believes he has a wider understanding of the place and demands. The house rules have been set. I allowed the players wear white socks, for goodness sake,” Dyche commented. “I’ll have my ex-players criticizing me on messaging. But they’re not allowed to wear neck warmers or headgear … I had to make a deal somewhere.”

Forest have lost their last four matches and failed to secure a victory since the start of the season. The coach mentioned the proprietor, the Greek businessman, recognised the significance of stabilising the situation. He encountered the wealthy individual in the European competition with his former club, when his side lost in a playoff against the Greek side in recent years. Following the initial match he voiced frustration at club officials, including Marinakis, approaching the referees at half-time in the stadium. We laughed about it,” Dyche recalled.

Part of Dyche’s appeal is his reputation for constructing sides with strong bases, relevant for a team without a clean sheet in many games. People categorize me, I’m not bothered,” he stated. I don't avoid behind what’s effective. It’s no badge of honour to me. In the past people were going: ‘Why do you rely on dead balls?’ Now they’re popular. Tight trousers, wide-leg pants, slim fits, bell-bottoms … my child criticizes me for whatever trousers I wear. It seems on online platforms even I got some stick for my shoes arriving at training [on Tuesday] … couldn’t believe that. A brand [trainers] but, anyway, don’t like to bring it up it.”

The manager is proud that his early career were at Forest but thinks that should not mean he or his staff are evaluated differently. No easy path with the fans, but we do care, that’s a point I don’t think can ever be doubted,” he said. “All I dreamt of was putting on the jersey, but I didn't manage to do it. Steve Stone and Woany succeeded, Billy Mercer played as a temporary goalkeeper, Tony Loughlan featured and scored a goal. I was the sole person who failed to and they constantly tell me of that.

“For me to have that part of it is a significant matter for me personally. But it doesn’t give me a divine right, believe me. The supporters expect me to win. If I’m not winning, the crowd are going to come at me because how supporters work and I’ve got no problem with that because that’s the reality. I was here as a kid and didn't get to wear the kit, the emblem. Now, currently, I’m sitting with it wearing it.”