🔗 Share this article

The emblem is bigger than every manager,” the new Forest boss declared at his introduction as Nottingham Forest’s head coach, wearing a training top with his monogram. He then, corrected himself. Actually, there was one manager who was likely as important as the crest – we all know who that was.”} Then came, an imitation of Brian Clough, an attempt at that distinctive accent. “‘Young ginger, well done,’” he said, reliving his time as a youth player at the club's stadium, the period he spent strolling down the Trent, with Clough’s labrador, whizzing past him and his manager’s voice invariably within hearing range.

Dyche tells a story of how, as a youth player, he and a couple of mates looked after the manager's garden at his home in the area. Our weekly wage was minimal and he gave you a tenner to tend his lawn. So we actually thought: ‘This is pretty good.’ He’d cook for you and ensure you were cared for. It was quite enjoyable, not too much yard work.”

In his case, the appointment has been a long time in the making. He lives in the area and has a fondness for the team. In recent years, he and his long-term assistant Ian Woan, who was a member of the Forest squad the last time they were in European competition, in the mid-90s, have sometimes popped into the West Bridgford cafe where Forest legends such as Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and Garry Birtles gather every week to discuss stories from past and present. He will have to skip it this week to get ready for the arrival of the Portuguese side, unbeaten this campaign, in the Europa League on this week.

I can't wait to meeting the miracle men,” said the manager, who replaced the previous coach to become Forest’s third head coach of the season. I'll get an earful if I don’t do too well, so I better secure some games for them. Those guys are important to me. A lot of Forest fans appreciate the history of this club. I have personal ties and now I’ve got a chance to reinvent my personal story, I suppose, as manager.”

The new boss took Forest practice for the first time on this week, three days after his predecessor oversaw a 3‑0 home defeat by Chelsea that left the club in the Premier League drop zone. Ryan Yates, who joined aged eight, acknowledged these are just the start but Dyche and his team have alleviated some of the negativity.

Dyche’s backroom team features one more Forest hero in Steve Stone, as well as Billy Mercer and another staff member, who featured for the team. “I feel like a huge asset of this organization is getting the bond between the supporters, players and coach and, let’s be honest, the last few weeks we haven’t had a good feeling around here,” Yates said. Dyche and his staff have brought that feeling of vitality and energy.”

He emphasized he does not “know the club like the back of my hand” considering his most recent encounter at the club has been as an opposition manager, but he believes he has a broader understanding of the environment and demands. The guidelines have been laid. “I’ve let them wear light-colored footwear, for goodness sake,” Dyche said. I expect my former teammates criticizing me on WhatsApp. But they’re forbidden to wear snoods or hats … I had to make a deal somewhere.”

Forest have been defeated in their past four fixtures and not won since the start of the season. Dyche said the proprietor, Evangelos Marinakis, understood the importance of stabilising the situation. Dyche encountered the Greek billionaire in the European competition with his former club, when his team were beaten in a playoff against the Greek side in recent years. Following the initial match Dyche expressed anger at Olympiakos dignitaries, including the owner, approaching the officials at the break in Piraeus. “We had a bit of a giggle,” Dyche said.

Part of his appeal is his image for constructing sides with strong bases, pertinent for a team 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 effective. It’s no badge of honour 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 daughter criticizes me for any jeans I wear. Apparently on social media even I got some criticism for my trainers walking into training [on Tuesday] … couldn’t believe that. A brand [trainers] but, anyway, don’t like to bring it up it.”

Dyche is proud that his formative years were at the club but believes that should not mean he or his team are evaluated differently. “There’s no shortcut with the fans, but we are committed, that’s one thing I don’t think can ever be questioned,” he said. “All I dreamt of was wearing the jersey, but I didn't manage to achieve it. Stoney and Ian Woan succeeded, Billy Mercer did as a loan goalkeeper, Tony wore it and netted a goal. I was the sole person who didn’t and they constantly tell me of that.

“In my case to have that part of it is a big thing for me personally. But it doesn’t give me a divine right, believe me. The supporters want me to win. If I’m failing, the crowd are going to criticize me because how fans behave and I’ve got no problem with that because it's the truth. I was here as a kid and never wore the kit, the emblem. Now, currently, I’m here with it on me.”