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The emblem is bigger than any manager,” the new Forest boss declared at his unveiling as Nottingham Forest’s manager, sporting a training kit with his monogram. Subsequently, corrected himself. Actually, there was a single manager who was probably as big as the badge – we all know who that was.”} Then came, an imitation of the legendary manager, a crack at that distinctive accent. “‘Young ginger, well done,’” he recalled, reminiscing about his time as a youth player 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.

The coach shares a story of how, as a youngster, he and a few others looked after the manager's yard at his home in Quarndon. “We were on £28.50 a week and he paid 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, the appointment has been a long time in the planning. He lives in the area and has a fondness for the team. In recent years, he and his longstanding assistant his deputy, who was part of the Nottingham Forest squad the last time they were in Europe, in 1995‑96, have occasionally popped into the West Bridgford cafe where Forest legends such as Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and a famous name gather every Thursday to discuss old and new tales. He will have to skip it this time to get ready for the visit of the Portuguese side, undefeated this season, in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

I can't wait to meeting the miracle men,” said Dyche, who succeeded Ange Postecoglou to become the team's third manager of the season. I'll get an earful if I fail to deliver, so I must win some matches for them. Those fellows are important to me. A lot of Forest fans recognise the history of this institution. I’ve got my own and now I’ve got a chance to reshape my own history, I suppose, as coach.”

The new boss took Forest training for the initial session on Tuesday, three days after his predecessor oversaw a three-nil at home defeat by Chelsea that placed the club in the Premier League relegation zone. Ryan Yates, who joined aged eight, admitted these are just the start but Dyche and his staff have alleviated some of the gloom.

Dyche’s staff includes one more club icon in a former player, as well as Billy Mercer and another staff member, who featured for the team. “I feel like a massive asset of this organization is fostering the connection between the supporters, players and manager and, let’s be honest, the recent period we lacked a positive atmosphere around here,” Yates said. “The new manager and his assistants have introduced that sense of life and energy.”

Dyche made clear he does not understand the team like the back of my hand” given his most recent experience at the club has been as an rival manager, but he thinks he has a broader grasp of the place and expectations. The guidelines have been laid. I allowed the players wear light-colored footwear, for goodness sake,” Dyche commented. “I’ll have my former teammates caning me on messaging. But they’re forbidden to wear neck warmers or headgear … I had to do a compromise somewhere.”

Forest have been defeated in their past four fixtures and not won since the start of the season. The coach mentioned the owner, the Greek businessman, recognised the significance of stabilising things. He faced the wealthy individual in the Europa League with his former club, when his side lost in a qualifier against Olympiakos in recent years. After the first leg Dyche expressed anger at club officials, including the owner, confronting the officials at the break in the stadium. “We had a bit of a giggle,” he said.

Part of his attraction is his reputation for building sides with strong foundations, pertinent for a team without a clean sheet in many games. “I’ve been put in many boxes, I’m not bothered,” he stated. I don't avoid behind what’s effective. It’s no badge of honour to me. Five years ago people were saying: ‘Why do you depend on set pieces?’ Now they’re in vogue. Tight trousers, wide-leg pants, slim fits, flared jeans … my child hammers me for whatever jeans I wear. It seems on social media even I got some criticism for my trainers walking into practice [on Tuesday] … was surprised by that. Tom Ford [trainers] but, regardless, don’t like to mention it.”

The manager is pleased that his early career were at the club but believes that should not mean he or his staff are evaluated in a special way. No easy path with the supporters, but we are committed, that’s a point I don’t think can ever be questioned,” he remarked. “All I dreamt of was putting on the shirt, but I didn't manage to do it. Stoney and Woany succeeded, Billy Mercer played as a loan keeper, Tony Loughlan featured and netted a goal. I was the only one who failed to and they constantly tell me of that.

“For me to have that connection of it is a significant matter for me individually. But it doesn’t give me a special privilege, trust me. The fans want me to succeed. If I’m not winning, the fans are going to criticize 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 youth and never wore the shirt, the emblem. Now, now, I’m here with it wearing it.”