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“This badge is bigger than every manager,” Sean Dyche declared at his introduction as Nottingham Forest’s manager, wearing a training kit with his monogram. Subsequently, corrected himself. “Well, there was one manager who was likely as big as the crest – we all know who that was.”} Following that, an imitation of the legendary manager, an attempt at that distinctive drawl. Lad, well done,’” he recalled, reminiscing about his time as a trainee at the City Ground, the days he spent strolling down the river, with Del Boy, dashing past him and his boss's voice invariably within hearing range.

The coach tells a anecdote of how, as a youngster, he and a few others tended Clough’s yard at his home in Quarndon. “We were on £28.50 a week and he gave you a tenner to do his lawn. So we actually thought: ‘This is decent.’ He’d cook for you and ensure you were well looked after. It was quite fun, not too much yard work.”

In his case, this moment has been a long time in the making. He resides in the area and has a affection for the club. In recent years, he and his long-term coach Ian Woan, who was part of the Nottingham Forest squad the last time they were in Europe, in 1995‑96, have sometimes visited the West Bridgford cafe where Forest legends such as a former player, Colin Barrett and Garry Birtles meet 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 European tournament on Thursday evening.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the miracle men,” said 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 are important to me. A great deal of supporters appreciate the legacy of this institution. I have personal ties and now I’ve got a chance to reinvent my personal story, I guess, as manager.”

Dyche oversaw the team practice for the first time on Tuesday, three days after his predecessor watched a 3‑0 home loss by Chelsea that placed the club in the top division relegation zone. the club captain, who joined as a child, acknowledged these are early days but he and his staff have alleviated some of the gloom.

His staff includes another Forest hero in Steve Stone, as well as Billy Mercer and Tony Loughlan, who played for the club. “I feel like a massive strength of this organization is fostering the connection between the fans, players and coach and, frankly, the recent period we haven’t had a positive atmosphere around here,” Yates said. “The new manager and his assistants have introduced that feeling of life and enthusiasm.”

He emphasized he doesn't “know the club like the back of my hand” given his most recent experience at the club has been as an opposition manager, but he believes he has a broader grasp of the place and expectations. The house rules have been set. I allowed the players wear light-colored footwear, for goodness sake,” the manager said. I expect my former teammates caning me on WhatsApp. But they’re forbidden to wear neck warmers or hats … I had to make a compromise somewhere.”

Forest have lost their last four matches and failed to secure a victory since the opening day. Dyche said the owner, the Greek businessman, recognised the significance of stabilising things. He faced the Greek billionaire in the European competition with Burnley, when his team lost in a qualifier against Olympiakos in 2018. After the first leg he expressed frustration at club officials, including Marinakis, approaching the referees at half-time in Piraeus. “We had a bit of a giggle,” he recalled.

One aspect of his appeal is his image for building sides with strong bases, relevant for a side without a clean sheet in many games. “I’ve been put in many boxes, I’m not bothered,” he said. I don't avoid behind what’s effective. It’s no point of pride to me. Five years ago people were going: ‘Why do you rely on set pieces?’ Now they’re in vogue. Skinny jeans, flared jeans, skinny jeans, bell-bottoms … my daughter criticizes me for any trousers I wear. It seems on social media even I got some stick for my trainers arriving at practice [on Tuesday] … couldn’t believe that. Tom Ford [trainers] but, anyway, don’t like to bring it up it.”

The manager is proud 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 fans, but we are committed, that’s a point I believe can ever be questioned,” he said. “All I dreamt of was wearing the shirt, but I never got to achieve it. Steve Stone and Woany succeeded, Billy Mercer did as a temporary keeper, Tony featured and netted a goal. I was the sole person who failed to and they keep reminding me of that.

“For me to have that part of it is a significant matter for me personally. But it doesn’t give me a special privilege, believe me. The fans want me to win. If I’m not winning, the crowd are going to criticize me because how supporters behave and I’ve got no issue with that because it's the truth. I was at the club as a youth and didn't get to wear the shirt, the emblem. Now, now, I’m sitting with it wearing it.”