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“This badge is bigger than any manager,” Sean Dyche declared at his unveiling as Nottingham Forest’s manager, wearing a training top with his monogram. Subsequently, amended his statement. Actually, there was a single manager who was likely as big as the badge – everyone recognizes who that was.”} Then came, an impression of Brian Clough, a crack at that unique accent. Lad, well done,’” he recalled, reminiscing about his three years as a trainee at the club's stadium, the period he spent strolling down the river, with Clough’s labrador, whizzing past him and his boss's voice invariably within earshot.

Dyche tells a anecdote of how, as a youngster, he and a few others looked after the manager's garden at his home in Quarndon. Our weekly wage was minimal and he gave you a ten pounds to do his garden. So we actually thought: ‘This is pretty good.’ He’d prepare food for you and ensure you were well looked after. It was rather fun, not too much yard work.”

In his case, this moment has been a years in the making. He lives in the area and has a affection for the club. In recent years, he and his longstanding coach his deputy, who was part of the Nottingham Forest squad the previous occasion they were in Europe, in the mid-90s, have occasionally visited the West Bridgford cafe where Forest legends such as a former player, Colin Barrett and a famous name gather every Thursday to discuss stories from past and present. He will have to give it a miss this time to get ready for the visit of the Portuguese side, unbeaten this campaign, in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the club legends,” remarked the manager, who succeeded Ange Postecoglou to become the team's third manager 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 supporters appreciate the legacy of this club. I have personal ties and now I’ve got a chance to reshape my personal history, I suppose, as manager.”

The new boss oversaw the team training for the first time on this week, three days after his predecessor oversaw a 3‑0 home loss by the London club that left the club in the top division drop zone. Ryan Yates, who joined as a child, acknowledged these are early days but he and his team have eased some of the gloom.

Dyche’s staff features one more Forest hero in Steve Stone, as well as a coach and Tony Loughlan, both of whom featured for the club. In my view a huge asset of this club is getting the bond between the supporters, players and coach and, frankly, the recent period we haven’t had a good feeling around here,” the captain stated. “The new manager and his assistants have brought that sense of life and energy.”

He emphasized he does not “know the club like the inside out” considering his most recent experience at the club has been as an rival boss, but he believes he has a broader grasp of the place and expectations. The guidelines have been laid. “I’ve let them wear light-colored footwear, for goodness sake,” Dyche commented. I expect my former teammates caning me on messaging. But they’re not allowed to wear snoods or hats … I had to do a compromise somewhere.”

The team have been defeated in their past four fixtures and failed to secure a victory since the opening day. The coach said the proprietor, Evangelos Marinakis, recognised the importance of stabilising things. Dyche faced the wealthy individual in the Europa League with Burnley, when his team were beaten in a playoff against the Greek side in recent years. After the first leg Dyche voiced frustration at club officials, including the owner, approaching the officials at the break in Piraeus. We laughed about it,” Dyche recalled.

Part of Dyche’s appeal is his reputation for constructing sides with solid foundations, pertinent for a team without a shutout in 20 matches. People categorize me, I’m not bothered,” he stated. I don't avoid behind what’s successful. 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, wide-leg pants, slim fits, flared jeans … my daughter criticizes me for any jeans I wear. It seems on social media even I got some stick for my shoes arriving at practice [on Tuesday] … couldn’t believe that. A brand [trainers] but, anyway, prefer not to bring it up it.”

Dyche is pleased that his early career were at the club but believes that should not mean he or his staff are judged differently. “There’s no shortcut with the fans, but we are committed, that’s a point I believe can ever be doubted,” he said. “All I dreamt of was putting on the jersey, but I didn't manage to do it. Steve Stone and Ian Woan did, Billy Mercer played as a temporary goalkeeper, Tony wore it and scored 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 big thing for me personally. But it doesn’t give me a special privilege, trust me. The supporters expect me to succeed. If I’m not winning, the fans are going to criticize me because that’s the way supporters work and I’ve got no issue with that because it's the truth. I was at the club as a youth and never wore the kit, the emblem. Now, currently, I’m here with it wearing it.”