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“This emblem is bigger than any manager,” the new Forest boss stated at his unveiling as Nottingham Forest’s head coach, wearing a training top with his monogram. He then, amended his statement. “Well, there was one manager who was probably as important as the crest – everyone recognizes who that was.”} Then came, an imitation of the legendary manager, a crack at that unique accent. “‘Young ginger, well done,’” he said, reminiscing about his time as a trainee at the City Ground, the period he spent wandering down the Trent, with Del Boy, dashing past him and his boss's voice always within hearing range.

Dyche tells a story of how, as a youngster, he and a few others looked after Clough’s yard at his home in the area. Our weekly wage was minimal and he gave you a ten pounds to tend his garden. So we actually thought: ‘This is decent.’ He’d cook for you and make sure you were cared for. It was rather enjoyable, not too much yard work.”

For Dyche, the appointment has been a long time in the making. He resides in the city and has a affection for the club. In recent years, he and his long-term coach Ian Woan, who was part of the Forest side the last time they were in European competition, in the mid-90s, have sometimes popped into the West Bridgford coffee shop where club icons such as Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and Garry Birtles meet every Thursday to talk old and new tales. He will have to give it a miss this week to get ready for the visit of the Portuguese side, unbeaten this season, in the European tournament on Thursday evening.

I can't wait to seeing the club legends,” remarked the manager, who replaced the previous coach to become the team's latest head coach of the season. I'll get an earful if I don’t do too well, so I better secure some matches for them. Those fellows mean a lot to me. A great deal of Forest fans recognise the history of this club. I have personal ties and now I’ve got a opportunity to reshape my own story, I guess, as coach.”

The new boss took the team training for the initial session on Tuesday, three days after his predecessor watched a 3‑0 home defeat by Chelsea that left the club in the Premier League drop zone. the club captain, who came aged eight, admitted these are just the start but he and his team have eased some of the gloom.

His backroom team includes another club icon in a former player, as well as Billy Mercer and another staff member, both of whom 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 recent period we haven’t had a good feeling around here,” Yates said. Dyche and his assistants have introduced that sense of vitality and energy.”

Dyche made clear he does not understand the team like the inside out” considering his most recent experience at Forest has been as an rival boss, but he believes he has a broader grasp of the environment and demands. The guidelines have been laid. I allowed the players wear white socks, for goodness sake,” Dyche commented. I expect my former teammates criticizing me on messaging. But they’re forbidden to wear neck warmers or headgear … I had to make a deal somewhere.”

The team have lost their past four matches and not won since the opening day. The coach mentioned the proprietor, the Greek businessman, recognised the significance of stabilising things. Dyche encountered the wealthy individual in the Europa League with Burnley, when his team lost in a playoff against the Greek side in 2018. Following the initial match Dyche expressed frustration at club officials, among them Marinakis, confronting the referees at half-time in Piraeus. “We had a bit of a giggle,” Dyche recalled.

One aspect of his attraction is his image for building sides with strong foundations, relevant for a team without a shutout in many games. “I’ve been put in many boxes, I’m not bothered,” he said. “I’ve never tried to hide behind what’s effective. 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. Skinny jeans, wide-leg pants, slim fits, bell-bottoms … my child hammers me for any trousers I wear. Apparently on online platforms even I got some criticism for my trainers walking into practice [on Tuesday] … was surprised by that. A brand [trainers] but, anyway, prefer not to mention it.”

Dyche is pleased that his early career were at Forest but thinks that should not mean he or his team are evaluated differently. “There’s no shortcut with the supporters, but we do care, that’s a point I don’t think can ever be doubted,” he said. My only aspiration was wearing the shirt, but I never got to achieve it. Stoney and Woany did, Billy did as a loan goalkeeper, Tony Loughlan featured and netted a goal. I was the sole person who didn’t and they keep reminding 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, trust me. The supporters expect me to succeed. If I’m not winning, the fans are going to come at 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 didn't get to wear the kit, the badge. Now, now, I’m here with it on me.”