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“This emblem is bigger than every manager,” Sean Dyche declared at his introduction as the club's head coach, wearing a training kit with his initials. Subsequently, amended his statement. Actually, there was one manager who was likely as important as the crest – we all know who that was.”} Following that, an imitation of Brian Clough, an attempt at that unique drawl. Lad, well done,’” he said, reminiscing about his three years as a trainee at the club's stadium, the period he spent wandering down the river, with Del Boy, whizzing past him and his boss's voice always within hearing range.

The coach shares a anecdote of how, as a youngster, he and a couple of mates looked after Clough’s yard at his home in Quarndon. “We were on £28.50 a week and he paid you a tenner to tend his garden. 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.”

For Dyche, this moment has been a years in the making. He lives in the area and has a affection for the team. In recent years, he and his long-term assistant Ian Woan, who was a member of the Forest squad the previous occasion they were in European competition, in 1995‑96, have occasionally visited the West Bridgford cafe where club icons such as Frank Clark, another stalwart and Garry Birtles meet every Thursday to talk stories from past and present. He will have to skip it this week to prepare for the visit of the Portuguese side, undefeated this campaign, in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the miracle men,” said Dyche, who succeeded Ange Postecoglou to become Forest’s third manager of the season. I'll get an earful if I fail to deliver, so I better secure some matches for them. Those fellows mean a lot to me. A lot of Forest fans recognise the legacy of this institution. I have personal ties and now I’ve got a opportunity to reshape my own story, I suppose, as coach.”

The new boss took the team practice for the first time on this week, a short while after Postecoglou oversaw a three-nil home defeat by Chelsea that left the club in the top division drop zone. Ryan Yates, who joined aged eight, acknowledged these are just the start but Dyche and his staff have alleviated some of the gloom.

His backroom team features another Forest hero in Steve Stone, as well as Billy Mercer and another staff member, who featured for the club. In my view a massive asset of this organization is getting the bond between the supporters, players and coach and, frankly, the last few weeks we haven’t had a positive feeling around here,” Yates said. “The new manager and his assistants have brought that feeling of vitality and enthusiasm.”

He emphasized he does not “know the club like the inside out” considering his latest encounter at the club has been as an opposition boss, but he thinks he has a wider grasp of the environment and expectations. The house rules have been set. I allowed the players wear white socks, for goodness sake,” the manager said. “I’ll have my ex-players criticizing me on WhatsApp. But they’re forbidden to wear snoods or headgear … I had to make a deal somewhere.”

The team have lost their last 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. Dyche faced the wealthy individual in the European competition with Burnley, when his side lost in a qualifier against the Greek side in 2018. After the first leg he voiced frustration at Olympiakos dignitaries, including the owner, approaching the officials at half-time in Piraeus. “We had a bit of a giggle,” he said.

Part of Dyche’s appeal is his image for constructing sides with solid bases, pertinent for a side without a shutout in 20 matches. “I’ve been put in many boxes, I’m not concerned,” he stated. I don't avoid behind what’s effective. It’s no badge of honour to me. In the past people were saying: ‘Why do you depend on set pieces?’ Now they’re popular. Skinny jeans, wide-leg pants, slim fits, flared jeans … my daughter criticizes me for whatever trousers I wear. Apparently on social media even I got some criticism for my shoes walking into practice [on Tuesday] … couldn’t believe that. A brand [trainers] but, anyway, prefer not to mention it.”

The manager is proud that his formative years were at Forest but thinks that should not mean he or his team are evaluated differently. “There’s no shortcut with the fans, but we are committed, that’s a point I believe can ever be doubted,” he remarked. My only aspiration was wearing the shirt, but I didn't manage to achieve it. Steve Stone and Woany succeeded, Billy did as a temporary goalkeeper, Tony Loughlan wore it and netted a strike. I was the sole person who didn’t 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 special privilege, trust me. The fans want me to succeed. If I’m failing, the crowd are going to criticize me because how fans work and I’ve got no issue with that because it's the truth. I was at the club as a kid and didn't get to wear the kit, the emblem. Well, now, I’m sitting with it wearing it.”