Sean Dyche has taken the helm at Nottingham Forest, becoming the club's third manager this season, and he believes owner Evangelos Marinakis is fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Dyche, formerly of Burnley and Everton, signed a contract until 2027 after Ange Postecoglou was sacked just 39 days into the job, following Nuno Espirito Santo's departure in September.
Dyche begins his Forest tenure with a Europa League match at home against Porto, hoping to end the team's ten-match winless streak. He acknowledged Marinakis's realistic view of the situation, stating, "He spoke very openly to me about the challenge. He's aware of the challenge. I don't think he thinks he's a gimme just because of last season". Dyche also noted Marinakis is well-informed on the team's performance, saying, "He does keep up with the stats and facts. He knows at the end of last season it was a challenging run where they didn't get as many points".
Forest's only victory this season was on opening day against Brentford. Dyche emphasized the need for a change in approach, starting with a return to basics. Forest's statement announcing Dyche's arrival highlighted his focus on "defensive organisation, resilience, and strength from set pieces," aligning with the squad's attributes and the club's identity. Some observers suggest that Postecoglou's attempted playing style was implemented too quickly, and Dyche will aim to make Forest more difficult to beat, similar to Nuno Espírito Santo's approach last season.
Marinakis's swift decision to replace Postecoglou has been viewed by some as an admission of a mistake in the initial appointment. Dyche's arrival marks a move towards stability and a more pragmatic approach, with the hope of reviving his own career after his departure from Everton in January. He brings a wealth of Premier League experience, having managed 332 matches with Burnley and Everton.
Notably, there's a past incident where Dyche criticized the refereeing and Olympiacos' conduct, including Marinakis's, during a match. Despite this, both figures will need to work together to improve Forest's current position in the Premier League.
