Sean Dyche's reign at Nottingham Forest has begun in spectacular fashion, marked by a Europa League victory and a continuation of the enigmatic persona that has followed him throughout his career. Forest secured a 2-0 victory against Porto, a win that not only marks Dyche's debut but also ends a ten-game winless streak and secures the club's first European win since 1995.
The match saw goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus, both from penalty spots, securing a vital three points in the Europa League group stage. Dyche expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, highlighting their attentiveness and adaptability during his short time at the club. He emphasized that this win is just the first step in a long journey, but an important one for the fans and the team's morale.
Dyche's arrival at the City Ground has been nothing short of dramatic. He is the third manager to take the helm this season, following Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou. Postecoglou's tenure was particularly short-lived, lasting only 39 days. Dyche, a former Forest youth player, faces the task of stabilizing the squad and unifying the fanbase after a period of instability.
Off the pitch, Dyche has already made his mark by implementing a ban on a popular item of clothing among players, demonstrating his immediate impact and desire to instill discipline. However, it's not just his managerial decisions that have captured attention; the long-standing rumor about his unusual dietary habits has resurfaced.
The anecdote, which has circulated for years, involves claims that Dyche, during his playing days, would eat worms. This peculiar habit was supposedly a team morale booster, with Dyche pretending to eat worms to repulse teammates. While Dyche himself has denied ever knowingly eating a worm, the myth persists, adding to his no-nonsense, man-of-the-earth image. The rumour was further fueled by a former teammate who suggested Dyche's gravelly voice was a result of consuming earthworms.
Whether or not Dyche's pre-match meal consists of Porto and his lunchtime snack involves wriggling invertebrates remains unconfirmed. However, his immediate impact at Nottingham Forest suggests he's serving up a recipe for success, regardless of the ingredients. The focus now shifts to whether he can maintain this momentum, starting with an away trip to Bournemouth and a highly anticipated clash against Manchester United in November. For now, Forest fans will be hoping that Dyche continues to "eat" the opposition, one match at a time.
