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The emblem is bigger than any manager,” the new Forest boss stated at his unveiling as Nottingham Forest’s head coach, wearing a training kit with his initials. He then, amended his statement. “Well, there was one manager who was likely as important as the badge – we all know who that was.”} Following that, an imitation of the legendary manager, a crack at that unique accent. “‘Young ginger, well done,’” he recalled, reminiscing about his time as a trainee at the City Ground, the days he spent strolling down the Trent, with Clough’s labrador, whizzing past him and his manager’s voice invariably within hearing range.

Dyche shares a story of how, as a youngster, he and a few others tended Clough’s yard at his residence in Quarndon. Our weekly wage was minimal and he paid you a tenner to do his lawn. So we actually thought: ‘This is decent.’ He’d prepare food for you and ensure you were well looked after. It was rather enjoyable, not too much gardening.”

In his case, this moment has been a long time in the making. He resides in the area and has a fondness for the club. In lately, he and his longstanding assistant his deputy, who was part of the Forest squad the previous occasion they were in Europe, in the mid-90s, have occasionally popped into the West Bridgford cafe where club icons such as a former player, Colin Barrett and Garry Birtles meet every Thursday to talk stories from past and present. He will have to skip it this time to prepare for the arrival of Porto, undefeated this season, in the European tournament on Thursday evening.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the miracle men,” remarked Dyche, who replaced the previous coach to become Forest’s third head coach of the term. “They will give me a bit of ear-holing if I don’t do too well, so I must secure some matches for them. Those fellows mean a lot to me. A lot of supporters recognise the legacy of this club. I have personal ties and now I’ve got a opportunity to reinvent my own history, I suppose, as coach.”

Dyche took the team practice for the first time on Tuesday, three days after his predecessor watched a three-nil at home defeat by the London club that left the side in the top division relegation zone. the club captain, who joined aged eight, acknowledged these are just the start but Dyche and his staff have eased some of the gloom.

Dyche’s backroom team includes one more club icon in Steve Stone, as well as a coach and another staff member, both of whom featured for the club. “I feel like a massive asset of this organization is fostering the connection between the supporters, squad and manager and, frankly, the recent period we lacked a good atmosphere around here,” the captain said. Dyche and his assistants have introduced that feeling of vitality and energy.”

He made clear he doesn't “know the team like the inside out” given his latest experience at Forest has been as an rival boss, but he thinks he has a broader understanding of the place and expectations. The house rules have been set. I allowed the players wear light-colored footwear, for heaven's sake,” Dyche commented. I expect my ex-players criticizing me on WhatsApp. But they’re forbidden to wear snoods or hats … I had to do a compromise somewhere.”

The team have lost their past four fixtures and failed to secure a victory since the start of the season. The coach said the proprietor, Evangelos Marinakis, understood the significance of steadying things. He encountered the wealthy individual in the European competition with his former club, when his team were beaten in a qualifier against Olympiakos in 2018. Following the initial match he voiced anger at Olympiakos dignitaries, among them Marinakis, confronting the referees at the break in Piraeus. “We had a bit of a giggle,” Dyche said.

One aspect of Dyche’s appeal is his image for building sides with strong bases, relevant for a team without a clean sheet in many games. People categorize me, I’m not concerned,” he stated. “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 dead balls?’ Now they’re popular. Skinny jeans, flared jeans, slim fits, bell-bottoms … my daughter hammers me for any trousers I wear. Apparently on social media even I got some stick for my shoes arriving at practice [on Tuesday] … was surprised by that. Tom Ford [trainers] but, regardless, don’t like to mention it.”

Dyche is proud 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 believe can ever be doubted,” he remarked. My only aspiration was wearing the shirt, but I didn't manage to do it. Steve Stone and Ian Woan succeeded, Billy Mercer did 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 significant matter for me individually. But it doesn't grant me a special privilege, believe me. The fans expect me to succeed. If I’m not winning, the crowd are going to come at me because that’s the way fans work and I’ve got no problem with that because it's the truth. I was here as a kid and didn't get to wear the kit, the badge. Now, currently, I’m here with it wearing it.”