🔗 Share this article

“This emblem is more significant than any manager,” the new Forest boss stated at his unveiling as Nottingham Forest’s head coach, sporting a training top with his initials. Subsequently, amended his statement. “Well, there was one manager who was probably as big as the badge – everyone recognizes who that was.”} Following that, an imitation of the legendary manager, an attempt at that distinctive accent. Lad, well done,’” he said, reliving his three years as a trainee at the City Ground, the days he spent strolling down the river, with Del Boy, whizzing past him and his boss's voice invariably within hearing range.

The coach shares a story of how, as a youngster, he and a few others tended Clough’s garden at his residence 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 quite enjoyable, not too much yard work.”

For Dyche, the appointment has been a years in the planning. He lives in the city and has a affection for the club. In lately, he and his longstanding assistant Ian Woan, who was a member of the Forest squad the last time they were in Europe, in the mid-90s, have occasionally popped into the local cafe where club icons such as Frank Clark, another stalwart and a famous name gather every week to discuss old and new tales. He will have to give it a miss this week to prepare for the arrival of the Portuguese side, unbeaten this campaign, in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

I can't wait to seeing the club legends,” remarked Dyche, who replaced Ange Postecoglou to become Forest’s third manager of the term. “They will give me a bit of ear-holing if I fail to deliver, so I must win some matches for them. Those guys are important to me. A lot of supporters appreciate the legacy of this club. I have personal ties and now I’ve got a opportunity to reinvent my own history, I suppose, as coach.”

Dyche took Forest training for the initial session on Tuesday, a short while after his predecessor watched a three-nil home loss by Chelsea that left the club in the top division relegation zone. the club captain, who came aged eight, acknowledged these are early days but Dyche and his team have eased some of the negativity.

His staff features another club icon in Steve Stone, as well as Billy Mercer and another staff member, who featured for the club. “I feel like a huge asset of this organization is fostering the bond between the supporters, players and manager and, let’s be honest, the last few weeks we lacked a good atmosphere around here,” the captain stated. Dyche and his assistants have introduced that feeling of life and enthusiasm.”

Dyche made clear he does not “know the team like the inside out” given his latest experience at the club has been as an opposition 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 light-colored footwear, for goodness sake,” the manager commented. “I’ll have my ex-players criticizing me on WhatsApp. But they’re not allowed to wear snoods or hats … I had to make a deal somewhere.”

Forest have been defeated in their past four fixtures and failed to secure a victory since the start of the season. The coach mentioned the owner, the Greek businessman, understood the importance of steadying things. Dyche faced the Greek billionaire in the European competition with his former club, when his side were beaten in a qualifier against the Greek side in recent years. Following the initial match he voiced anger at Olympiakos dignitaries, including the owner, confronting the referees at half-time in Piraeus. “We had a bit of a giggle,” he said.

Part of Dyche’s attraction is his image for building teams with strong foundations, pertinent for a team without a clean sheet in many games. People categorize me, I’m not concerned,” he said. I don't avoid behind what’s successful. It’s no badge of honour to me. Five years ago people were saying: ‘Why do you depend 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 walking into training [on Tuesday] … was surprised by that. Tom Ford [trainers] but, anyway, don’t like to mention it.”

The manager is proud that his formative years were at the club but believes that should not mean he or his team are evaluated in a special way. “There’s no shortcut with the supporters, but we are committed, that’s one thing I don’t think can ever be doubted,” he remarked. “All I dreamt of was putting on the jersey, but I never got to achieve it. Steve Stone and Ian Woan succeeded, Billy Mercer did as a temporary goalkeeper, Tony featured and scored a strike. I was the sole person who didn’t and they keep reminding me of that.

“In my case to have that connection of it is a significant matter for me personally. But it doesn't grant me a special privilege, trust me. The fans expect me to succeed. If I’m failing, the fans are going to criticize me because how supporters behave and I’ve got no issue with that because that’s the reality. I was here as a kid and didn't get to wear the kit, the emblem. Well, currently, I’m sitting with it on me.”