The emblem is more significant than any manager,” the new Forest boss declared at his introduction as Nottingham Forest’s head coach, wearing 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.”} Following that, an impression of the legendary manager, a crack at that distinctive accent. Lad, well done,’” he said, reliving his three years as a youth player at the City Ground, the period he spent strolling down the river, with Clough’s labrador, dashing past him and his manager’s voice invariably within hearing range.
Dyche tells a anecdote of how, as a youngster, he and a few others tended Clough’s yard at his residence in the area. Our weekly wage was minimal and he gave you a ten pounds to do his garden. So we actually thought: ‘This is decent.’ He’d prepare food for you and make sure you were well looked after. It was quite enjoyable, not too much gardening.”
In his case, the appointment has been a years in the planning. He lives in the area and has a fondness for the club. In lately, he and his long-term coach his deputy, who was part of the Nottingham Forest squad the previous occasion they were in European competition, in 1995‑96, have occasionally visited the West Bridgford coffee shop where club icons such as Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and a famous name gather every Thursday to discuss old and new tales. He will have to skip it this time to get ready for the arrival of the Portuguese side, undefeated this season, in the European tournament on Thursday evening.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the miracle men,” remarked the manager, who replaced the previous coach to become Forest’s latest head coach of the term. “They will give me a bit of ear-holing if I fail to deliver, so I must secure some matches for them. Those guys mean a lot to me. A great deal of supporters appreciate the legacy of this institution. I have personal ties and now I’ve got a opportunity to reshape my personal history, I guess, as coach.”
Dyche took Forest practice for the first time on Tuesday, three days after Postecoglou watched a three-nil at home loss by Chelsea that left the side in the Premier League relegation zone. the club captain, who came aged eight, admitted these are early days but Dyche and his staff have alleviated some of the gloom.
His staff includes another Forest hero in a former player, as well as Billy Mercer and Tony Loughlan, both of whom played for the team. In my view a massive strength of this club is fostering the connection between the fans, squad and manager and, let’s be honest, the recent period we lacked a positive atmosphere around here,” the captain said. “The new manager and his assistants have brought that sense of vitality and enthusiasm.”
He emphasized he doesn't “know the club like the back of my hand” given his latest experience at Forest has been as an rival boss, but he thinks he has a broader grasp of the environment and demands. The guidelines have been set. “I’ve let them wear light-colored footwear, for heaven's sake,” the manager said. “I’ll have my former teammates criticizing me on messaging. But they’re not allowed to wear snoods or hats … I had to make a deal somewhere.”
The team have been defeated in their past four fixtures and not won since the opening day. Dyche said the proprietor, Evangelos Marinakis, understood the importance of steadying things. Dyche faced the wealthy individual in the European competition with Burnley, when his team lost in a qualifier against Olympiakos in 2018. After the first leg he voiced anger at Olympiakos dignitaries, including Marinakis, approaching the officials at the break in the stadium. “We had a bit of a giggle,” Dyche recalled.
One aspect of Dyche’s appeal is his reputation for building sides with strong bases, relevant for a team without a clean sheet in 20 matches. “I’ve been put in many boxes, I’m not concerned,” he stated. “I’ve never tried to hide behind what’s effective. It’s no point of pride to me. In the past people were saying: ‘Why do you rely on set pieces?’ Now they’re in vogue. Skinny jeans, wide-leg pants, slim fits, flared jeans … my daughter criticizes me for any jeans I wear. Apparently on social media even I got some criticism for my trainers arriving at practice [on Tuesday] … couldn’t believe that. A brand [trainers] but, anyway, prefer not 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 judged differently. No easy path with the supporters, but we are committed, that’s one thing I believe can ever be doubted,” he said. “All I dreamt of was putting on the shirt, but I didn't manage to achieve it. Steve Stone and Ian Woan succeeded, Billy did as a loan goalkeeper, Tony wore it and netted a strike. I was the sole person who didn’t and they constantly tell me of that.
“For me to have that connection of it is a significant matter for me individually. But it doesn't grant me a divine right, trust me. The fans expect me to win. If I’m not winning, the fans are going to criticize me because how supporters work and I’ve got no issue with that because that’s the reality. I was here as a youth and never wore the kit, the badge. Well, now, I’m sitting with it wearing it.”
