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The badge is bigger than any manager,” the new Forest boss declared at his unveiling as the club's head coach, wearing a training kit with his initials. Subsequently, corrected himself. “Well, there was a single manager who was probably as big as the crest – we all know who that was.”} Then came, an impression of the legendary manager, an attempt at that unique drawl. Lad, well done,’” he recalled, reliving his three years as a youth player at the club's stadium, the period he spent wandering down the river, with Clough’s labrador, whizzing past him and his boss's voice invariably within hearing range.

Dyche shares a story of how, as a youngster, he and a few others looked after the manager's yard at his home in Quarndon. “We were on £28.50 a week and he paid you a ten pounds to do his garden. So we really thought: ‘This is pretty good.’ He’d prepare food for you and make sure you were cared for. It was quite enjoyable, not too much yard work.”

In his case, the appointment has been a years in the making. He resides in the city and has a fondness for the team. In lately, he and his long-term coach his deputy, who was part of the Nottingham Forest side the previous occasion they were in European competition, in the mid-90s, have sometimes visited the West Bridgford cafe where Forest legends such as a former player, Colin Barrett and Garry Birtles gather every week to discuss old and new tales. He will have to skip it this time 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 miracle men,” remarked Dyche, who succeeded Ange Postecoglou to become the team's third 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 are important to me. A lot of supporters recognise the history of this club. I’ve got my own and now I’ve got a opportunity to reshape my own history, I guess, as coach.”

The new boss took the team training for the initial session on Tuesday, three days after Postecoglou watched a 3‑0 at home loss by the London club that placed the club in the top division relegation zone. the club captain, who joined as a child, acknowledged these are early days but Dyche and his staff have eased some of the negativity.

Dyche’s backroom team includes another Forest hero in a former player, as well as Billy Mercer and Tony Loughlan, both of whom featured for the club. In my view a huge asset of this club is fostering the bond between the supporters, players and coach and, frankly, the recent period we lacked a positive atmosphere around here,” Yates said. Dyche and his staff have brought that sense of life and energy.”

He made clear he doesn't understand the club like the back of my hand” considering his latest experience at Forest has been as an opposition boss, but he believes he has a wider understanding of the environment and expectations. The guidelines have been set. “I’ve let them wear light-colored footwear, for goodness sake,” Dyche commented. I expect my ex-players caning me on WhatsApp. But they’re forbidden to wear snoods or headgear … I had to do a compromise somewhere.”

The team have lost their last four fixtures and failed to secure a victory since the opening day. The coach mentioned the owner, the Greek businessman, understood the significance of steadying the situation. Dyche faced the Greek billionaire in the European competition with Burnley, when his side lost in a playoff against the Greek side in 2018. Following the initial match Dyche voiced frustration at Olympiakos dignitaries, including Marinakis, approaching the officials at half-time in the stadium. “We had a bit of a giggle,” he recalled.

Part of Dyche’s appeal is his reputation for constructing sides with strong bases, relevant for a team without a shutout in 20 matches. People categorize me, I’m not bothered,” he said. “I’ve never tried to hide behind what’s successful. It’s no point of pride to me. In the past people were going: ‘Why do you rely on set pieces?’ Now they’re popular. Tight trousers, wide-leg pants, skinny jeans, bell-bottoms … my daughter hammers me for any trousers I wear. It seems on online platforms even I got some stick for my shoes arriving at practice [on Tuesday] … was surprised by that. A brand [trainers] but, regardless, prefer not to mention it.”

Dyche is pleased that his formative years were at the club but thinks that should not mean he or his team are evaluated differently. No easy path with the supporters, but we do care, that’s one thing I don’t think can ever be questioned,” he said. “All I dreamt of was putting on the jersey, but I never got to do it. Steve Stone and Woany succeeded, Billy Mercer played as a temporary goalkeeper, Tony wore it and netted a goal. 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 personally. But it doesn't grant me a divine right, believe me. The supporters 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 it's the truth. I was here as a kid and didn't get to wear the shirt, the badge. Well, now, I’m sitting with it on me.”