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“This emblem is more significant than every manager,” the new Forest boss stated at his introduction as Nottingham Forest’s head coach, wearing a training kit with his monogram. Subsequently, amended his statement. “Well, there was a single manager who was probably as important as the crest – everyone recognizes who that was.”} Then came, an imitation of the legendary manager, an attempt at that unique accent. Lad, well done,’” he said, reliving his three years as a trainee at the City Ground, the period he spent wandering down the river, with Clough’s labrador, dashing past him and his manager’s voice always within hearing range.

Dyche shares a story of how, as a youngster, he and a couple of mates tended Clough’s yard at his home in the area. Our weekly wage was minimal and he paid you a tenner to tend his garden. So we actually thought: ‘This is pretty good.’ He’d cook for you and ensure you were well looked after. It was quite fun, not too much yard work.”

For Dyche, this moment has been a years in the making. He resides in the area and has a fondness for the team. In recent years, he and his long-term coach Ian Woan, who was part of the Nottingham Forest side the previous occasion they were in European competition, in 1995‑96, have occasionally popped into the West Bridgford cafe where Forest legends such as Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and Garry Birtles gather every Thursday to talk stories from past and present. He will have to skip it this time to get ready for the visit of Porto, undefeated this season, in the European tournament on this week.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the club legends,” remarked Dyche, who replaced Ange Postecoglou to become the team's latest head coach of the season. I'll get an earful if I fail to deliver, so I must secure some games for them. Those guys are important to me. A great deal of supporters recognise the legacy of this institution. I have personal ties and now I’ve got a opportunity to reshape my personal history, I suppose, as manager.”

Dyche oversaw the team practice for the initial session on this week, three days after Postecoglou oversaw a 3‑0 home loss by Chelsea that left the club in the Premier League drop zone. the club captain, who came as a child, acknowledged these are just the start but he and his staff have eased some of the gloom.

His staff includes another club icon in a former player, as well as a coach and another staff member, both of whom featured for the team. In my view a massive asset of this club is getting the bond between the supporters, squad and coach and, let’s be honest, the recent period we haven’t had a positive feeling around here,” the captain stated. “The new manager and his staff have introduced that feeling of vitality and energy.”

Dyche made clear he does not understand the club like the inside out” given his most recent encounter at Forest has been as an opposition manager, but he believes he has a broader grasp of the environment and demands. The house rules have been set. “I’ve let them wear white socks, for goodness sake,” the manager said. I expect my former teammates criticizing me on messaging. But they’re not allowed to wear neck warmers or hats … I had to make a deal somewhere.”

Forest have been defeated in their past four matches and failed to secure a victory since the opening day. Dyche said the owner, Evangelos Marinakis, recognised the significance of steadying the situation. He encountered the wealthy individual in the European competition with his former club, when his team lost in a playoff against the Greek side in recent years. After the first leg Dyche expressed anger at Olympiakos dignitaries, including Marinakis, approaching the officials at half-time in Piraeus. “We had a bit of a giggle,” he said.

One aspect of his attraction is his reputation for constructing sides with strong bases, relevant for a side without a clean sheet in 20 matches. People categorize me, I’m not concerned,” he said. I don't avoid behind what’s successful. It’s no point of pride to me. Five years ago people were saying: ‘Why do you rely on dead balls?’ Now they’re popular. Skinny jeans, wide-leg pants, slim fits, bell-bottoms … my daughter criticizes me for any jeans I wear. Apparently on social media even I got some stick for my trainers walking into practice [on Tuesday] … couldn’t believe that. A brand [trainers] but, anyway, don’t like to bring it up it.”

Dyche is proud that his formative years were at the club but thinks that should not mean he or his team are judged in a special way. No easy path with the supporters, but we do care, that’s a point I don’t think can ever be doubted,” he remarked. My only aspiration was wearing the shirt, but I didn't manage to achieve it. Stoney and Ian Woan succeeded, Billy Mercer did as a loan goalkeeper, Tony Loughlan wore it and scored a strike. I was the sole person who didn’t and they constantly tell me of that.

“In my case to have that connection of it is a significant matter for me personally. But it doesn't grant me a divine right, trust me. The supporters expect me to succeed. If I’m failing, the fans are going to criticize me because how fans behave and I’ve got no problem with that because it's the truth. I was here as a youth and never wore the shirt, the emblem. Well, currently, I’m here with it on me.”