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The emblem is more significant than every manager,” Sean Dyche stated at his unveiling as Nottingham Forest’s head coach, wearing a training kit with his monogram. He then, corrected himself. “Well, there was a single manager who was likely as important as the badge – we all know who that was.”} Following that, an impression of Brian Clough, an attempt at that unique drawl. “‘Young ginger, well done,’” he recalled, reliving his time as a trainee at the City Ground, the days he spent wandering down the river, with Del Boy, dashing past him and his boss's voice invariably within hearing range.

The coach shares a story of how, as a youth player, he and a couple of mates tended Clough’s garden at his residence in Quarndon. “We were on £28.50 a week and he gave you a ten pounds to do his lawn. So we actually thought: ‘This is decent.’ He’d cook for you and ensure you were cared for. It was rather 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 affection for the team. In lately, he and his long-term assistant Ian Woan, who was part of the Forest side the last time they were in Europe, in 1995‑96, have sometimes visited the local coffee shop where club icons such as a former player, another stalwart and a famous name gather every week to discuss stories from past and present. He will have to skip it this week to prepare for the visit of the Portuguese side, undefeated this season, in the Europa League on this week.

I can't wait to seeing the miracle men,” said the manager, who replaced the previous coach to become Forest’s latest manager of the term. I'll get an earful if I don’t do too well, so I better win some games for them. Those guys mean a lot to me. A lot of supporters appreciate the history of this institution. I have personal ties and now I’ve got a chance to reshape my personal story, I guess, as manager.”

The new boss oversaw the team practice for the first time on Tuesday, three days after his predecessor oversaw a three-nil home defeat by Chelsea that left the side in the Premier League relegation zone. Ryan Yates, who came as a child, acknowledged these are early days but he and his team have eased some of the negativity.

His staff features one more club icon in a former player, as well as a coach and another staff member, who played for the club. In my view a massive asset of this organization is fostering the bond between the fans, squad and manager and, let’s be honest, the last few weeks we lacked a good atmosphere around here,” the captain said. Dyche and his assistants have introduced that sense of life and enthusiasm.”

Dyche made clear he does not understand the club like the inside out” considering his latest encounter at Forest has been as an opposition boss, but he thinks he has a broader grasp of the environment and demands. The house rules have been laid. “I’ve let them wear white socks, for heaven's sake,” the manager said. I expect my ex-players caning me on WhatsApp. But they’re not allowed to wear neck warmers or headgear … I had to make a compromise somewhere.”

The team have been defeated in their last four fixtures and not won since the start of the season. Dyche mentioned the owner, the Greek businessman, recognised the importance of steadying the situation. Dyche faced 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 voiced anger at Olympiakos dignitaries, among them the owner, confronting the referees at half-time in Piraeus. We laughed about it,” he said.

One aspect of his appeal is his image for building sides with strong foundations, relevant for a team without a shutout in 20 matches. “I’ve been put in many boxes, I’m not concerned,” he said. I don't avoid behind what’s successful. It’s no badge of honour to me. In the past people were saying: ‘Why do you rely on dead balls?’ Now they’re in vogue. Tight trousers, wide-leg pants, slim fits, bell-bottoms … my child criticizes me for any trousers I wear. It seems on online platforms even I got some stick for my shoes walking into practice [on Tuesday] … was surprised by that. A brand [trainers] but, regardless, prefer not to bring it up it.”

The manager is pleased that his formative years were at the club but thinks that should not mean he or his staff are judged differently. “There’s no shortcut with the supporters, but we do care, that’s one thing I don’t think can ever be questioned,” he remarked. My only aspiration was putting on the shirt, but I didn't manage to do it. Stoney and Woany did, Billy Mercer played as a loan goalkeeper, Tony Loughlan featured and scored a strike. I was the only one who failed to and they constantly tell me of that.

“For me to have that part of it is a big thing for me individually. But it doesn't grant me a divine right, trust me. The fans want me to win. If I’m failing, the crowd are going to come at me because that’s the way fans behave and I’ve got no issue with that because it's the truth. I was at the club as a kid and never wore the shirt, the badge. Now, now, I’m sitting with it on me.”