“This emblem is bigger than every manager,” the new Forest boss declared at his introduction as the club's head coach, wearing a training kit with his monogram. He then, amended his statement. Actually, there was a single manager who was probably as important as the badge – we all know who that was.”} Following that, an imitation of Brian Clough, a crack 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 Del Boy, whizzing past him and his manager’s voice always within earshot.
Dyche shares a anecdote of how, as a youngster, he and a couple of mates looked after the manager's yard at his home in the area. “We were on £28.50 a week and he gave you a tenner to do his garden. So we actually thought: ‘This is decent.’ He’d prepare food for you and make sure you were cared for. It was quite enjoyable, not too much gardening.”
In his case, this moment has been a years in the planning. He lives in the city and has a affection for the club. In lately, he and his long-term assistant Ian Woan, who was a member of the Nottingham Forest squad the previous occasion they were in European competition, in 1995‑96, have sometimes visited the West Bridgford coffee shop where Forest legends such as Frank Clark, another stalwart and Garry Birtles meet every week to talk stories from past and present. He will have to give it a miss this week to get ready for the visit of Porto, undefeated this season, in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the miracle men,” remarked Dyche, who replaced the previous coach to become the team's third manager of the term. “They will give me a bit of ear-holing if I fail to deliver, so I better win some matches for them. Those fellows mean a lot to me. A lot of Forest fans recognise the legacy of this club. I have personal ties and now I’ve got a opportunity to reinvent my own story, I suppose, as manager.”
Dyche oversaw Forest training for the initial session on Tuesday, three days after Postecoglou watched a three-nil at home defeat by Chelsea that left the side in the Premier League 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 includes one more Forest hero in a former player, as well as Billy Mercer and Tony Loughlan, both of whom played for the club. “I feel like a massive strength of this organization is getting the bond between the fans, players and manager and, let’s be honest, the last few weeks we lacked a positive feeling around here,” Yates stated. “The new manager and his assistants have brought that sense of vitality and enthusiasm.”
He made clear he does not understand the club like the inside out” given his most recent encounter at Forest has been as an opposition boss, but he believes he has a broader understanding of the place and expectations. The guidelines have been set. “I’ve let them wear white socks, for heaven's sake,” the manager said. I expect 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.”
The team have lost their last four fixtures and failed to secure a victory since the opening day. The coach said the owner, Evangelos Marinakis, recognised the significance of stabilising things. He encountered the Greek billionaire in the Europa League with his former club, when his team lost in a qualifier against the Greek side in recent years. After the first leg he voiced frustration at club officials, including the owner, approaching the referees at the break in the stadium. “We had a bit of a giggle,” Dyche recalled.
One aspect of his appeal is his image for building teams with strong bases, pertinent for a side without a clean sheet in 20 matches. People categorize me, I’m not bothered,” he stated. “I’ve never tried to hide behind what’s effective. It’s no badge of honour to me. In the past people were going: ‘Why do you rely on set pieces?’ Now they’re popular. Skinny jeans, flared jeans, skinny jeans, bell-bottoms … my child hammers me for whatever jeans I wear. It seems on social media even I got some stick for my shoes walking into training [on Tuesday] … was surprised by that. Tom Ford [trainers] but, regardless, don’t like to mention it.”
The manager is proud 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 fans, but we are committed, that’s a point I don’t think can ever be doubted,” he said. My only aspiration was putting on the shirt, but I never got to do it. Stoney and Woany succeeded, Billy did as a loan goalkeeper, Tony featured and scored a goal. I was the only one who failed to and they keep reminding me of that.
“For me to have that part of it is a big thing for me individually. But it doesn’t give me a special privilege, trust me. The supporters expect me to win. If I’m failing, the crowd are going to come at me because that’s the way supporters behave and I’ve got no issue with that because it's the truth. I was here as a kid and didn't get to wear the kit, the badge. Well, now, I’m here with it on me.”
