Sean Dyche gives his first interview on being named as new Nottingham Forest head coach, their third manager in six weeks.
The 54 year old, who left Everton back in January after two years as Toffees manager, is tasked with turning Forest’s form around.
From one game away from the Champions League in May. Now, in October, they sit in the Premier League relegation zone.
Dyche comes in to replace Ange Postecoglou on a deal until the summer of 2027, following the Australian’s sacking just 17 minutes after their 3-0 defeat by Chelsea on Saturday – ending a 39-day reign.
Interviewer: “Well Sean, I’m tempted to say welcome home. Welcome to Nottingham Forest. Is that how it feels?”
Dyche: “Sort of. I mean, everyone knows, I think, down the years I’ve spoken openly of my affection from the beginning of my career, which was at Nottingham Forest under the great Brian Clough, of course.
“Didn’t quite forge my way into the first team. I three good years there as an apprentice, young pro and learned so much.
“And fond memories of wandering down the Trent with Del Boy running past your feet and hearing the boss’s voice in the distance.
“But all them legendary players at that time, Stuart Pearce and Nigel Clough, Des Walker, some of the younger players I played with, Gary Charles, I’m still in touch with. Obviously Tony Loughlin who made two appearances, scored one.
“Billy Mercer was on loan here as well. And then obviously Ian Woan and Steve Stone speak for themselves with their history of the club. It’s a strange thing to be back but it’s a very good thing, a very pleasing thing and something that I’m hoping to do well after.”
Interviewer: “How does it feel to to hear the words Sean Dyche Nottingham Forest head coach?”
Dyche: “Yeah, I mean, it’s one those things, you you imagine one day could it be? Not so much, mean, you know, not in the early days of my management career, but, you know, as things started changing in my career and changing at Nottingham Forest and new ownership comes in and the growth they’ve made and all them things, you wonder.
“And it’s come around my way. So obviously I’m very pleased and very proud to be Nottingham Forest manager, that’s for sure.”
Interviewer: “And your first impressions? I mean, training facilities have changed a bit from walking down the side…”
Dyche: “Obviously I’ve watched games, well I’ve managed games here, at the City Ground, but I’ve watched games there. Some things always strike me as being the things I remember are still intact before we go on to other changes.
“The A-Block is still the A-Block. It’s always happy to be back here, that’s always a good thing. The Trent End is still, in my mind, the Trent End, the original Trent End. I can still see it and imagine the noise going out there. The difference in the crowd, everyone makes noise, it must save the atmosphere.
“City Ground has been amazing when I’ve been down there both as a manager and when I’ve been supporting. The club have been very kind to me in that respect. When I was out of work I’ve always been welcomed here.”
“The training ground, the last time I was here even it was under Steve Cooper, I popped in for a coffee. And Steven Reid was there then and Andy Reid people I know so I popped in for a coffee and it was on its way to changing then.
“The changing rooms at the ground, the social areas at the ground. There’s been so many improvements. Of course on the pitch that’s a different thing.
“Just the structure of what they do here and the way they’ve changed it has been miraculous really over a number of years.”
Interviewer: “And as you mentioned, I know you’ve been closely affiliated with the club, even if not actually employed by the club like you are now and seeing them play regularly. What have you made of what’s happened with Forest over the last four years or so and how do you now take the next step with them?”
Dyche: “Yeah, mean, that’s the important thing. Mainly from Steve Cooper because I saw the job that he did and how quickly he turned it around and made it what it began the process and a massive part of that massive credit.
“I never knock managers by the way, know how hard it is. And then one day it comes at you go and then Nuno’s coming out a fantastic scene. The latest management has been a tough gig for the manager. I understand that.
“But like I said, I’ve not questioned him, that’s fine. Each manager has the way they do things. But certainly over them years, I’ve noticed what they’ve done.
“Like I say, the growth in the club off the pitch with the financial backing, the growth in the club on the pitch with some of the performance they’ve had, some of the great moments they’ve had, but then of course culminating a big season last season, it’s to be respected because what a fantastic season. I thought they were excellent last season.
“I’ve already told the players, marvelled at some of their performances, both individually and collectively and the atmosphere around the city ground. And we certainly want to get back onto that front foot, if you like, in old football terminology and hopefully give the crowd some energy about and bring them back and reconnect. I don’t think it’s far away. I know, the Forest fans in my experience have been very fair down the years. And I think, I don’t think it’s far away from the team reconnecting. Results of course help that, of course. But I think the first thing is performances, get performances back on that winning edge that they’ve shown many times.”
Interviewer: “Yeah, because that support, that atmosphere, that unity has been a feature, hasn’t it, over the last three or four years? How important is that for you to kind of bring the fans on a ride with you, if you like?”
Dyche: “Oh, very important. I mean, you know, the first couple of seasons up, was a challenge, know, and many things about that, you you kind of get towards the end of the season, come on, then get it done, and they have done.
“And then to have that, you know, fantastic season last season, it’s cut a pole with the club into new thinking again, you know, know, dare we all dream, you know, of European days and all the rest of it, you know.
“But there’s still a lot of work to be done, you know, it still is a work in progress, you know, to become that bonafide, mean when I was here in know, at 87 to 90 I was here. I remember that team then were regularly finishing the top four, six of the Premier, well sorry, the old First Division then, winning trophies or certainly battling to them, getting to semi-finals, you know, winning the Littlewoods trophies it was then and the likes.
“So we’re not quite there yet and I think the fans know that. But building that momentum and obviously it’s just lost its way a little bit and we’ve got to try and re-correct that of course. But the same group of players, some new signings, moulding that together and make it a really offensively powerful team which has been, while you have that defensive base which they’ve done so well at, certainly under Nuno.
Interviewer: “I was going to say that, your kind of style, a Sean Dyche, Nottingham Forest team, what does it look like? There’s a stat, they haven’t kept a clean sheet in 20 games. That’s got to be a big block, it?
Dyche: “You know, these things have probably been happening a long time. Them sort of starts to creep up on you. know, at first you go, no, you know, if you go into that clean sheet, it’s still nicking wins and points. Let’s go back to them 20 games.
“And then all of sudden you go, hang on a minute, you know, the solidarity amongst the group and how the base that I call it to work from was so effective.
“And then it just maybe softens a little bit not necessarily as a group, as maybe the odd mistake, and you get the odd and lucky ones.
“So, yeah, that’s certainly something we have to correct, of course. I know the players are aware of that. Lots of talk about set pieces and the like. So the basics have always got to be in place.
“Strong fit and organised is a good start point. But of course I want the players to have the freedom to go and play. I’ve already had a meeting with them today, expressed that. think there’s some talent here for sure.
“So how can we find that balance? know, the risk or rewards of going forwards to score goals and hopefully excite the crowd, but equally the base that has been such a good weapon for us and certainly in a big season last season. So trying to find that balance and that’ll be the key, I think.”
Interviewer: “And how have you found that squad, Sean? I know you’ve probably only had one training session, hasn’t you, as we speak? How do you find them?”
Dyche: “Yeah. We came in last night, as you suggested, all the change, just to get a feel of the building. A few of the staff were here, just to say hello. And then here today for the first working day, if you like.
“But today was really familiarising with the players, giving them feel of what we expect from them, what they can expect from us.
“And getting them going again, getting that vibrancy amongst them. It felt a flat, results obviously have not been going to plan and that sort of thing, but there was a nice edge to them today and you know, want to keep that feeling going.
“And then taking the planning into the first game and obviously it’s a big game schedule as well, which is new to the players and new to the club as well, taking that on board and tried to plan for that.
“But today was just familiarising, get a feel for them and us and certainly reassuring them that what good players we think they are.
“And you know, certainly some of the reminders of what they’ve already done, but how can we build on it? How can we bring consistency? How can we bring all the things they’ve done and take it forward?
“You know, to rely on the past, although it’s to be respected and make it clear. As I said, I thought they were fantastic last season.
“How can we build that forward and how can we make that more of a consistent running across the team and how we go about it? So that kind of were the messages really.”
Interviewer: “You touched on them earlier, your backroom team who obviously with Ian Woan and Steve Stone, well known, Tony and Billy Mercer, you’ve mentioned as well. I wonder how they’re feeling today as well as they…”
Dyche: “We’ve all been touched by Nottingham Forest one way or another down the years. know, me as an apprentice, young pro trying to find my way. Billy came on loan here. Tony was in non-league and then got bought out of non-league at Leicester United. Did make an appearance, scored a goal and fortunate with injuries and his career stopped short.
“And then Woan and Stoney really speak for themselves. know, Woan for his longevity at the club and his performances, but also Stoney, but for a different way he did. I think real burst, come through three broken legs at Nottingham Forest, you know, people forget that. And then went on to play to England and made the club a lot of money in that period.
“So you know, a mixed group of people, but all been touched by Nottingham Forest down the years. And I think it’s important. We don’t rely on the history of the club, by the way, but we’re well aware of it. We’re well aware of the people, the fans, what it means to the club and to get it back to somewhat what it was in them days or certainly in the eighties.
“Not just Brian Clough, by the way, I’m good friends with Frank Clark and the like have done a great job here down the years and many others, I see the legends when I can and say hello to them and I’ve enjoyed that.
“So I’ve always had links here and the lads have too. But we’re not relying on that by the way. But I think it’s nice for us to get back here on a completely different animal than it is now and have a chance to play our little part in the fabric of the club, in the history of the club.
“And certainly there’s no manager bigger than this club or certainly not bigger than Brian Clough was, that’s for sure. I don’t think anyone would dispute that.
“But certainly, you know, to have our chance to do well by the club and hopefully we’re remembered for doing well by the club as well.”
Interviewer: “And it must be, it must give you a little head start almost, mustn’t it, rather than going into a club that you don’t necessarily know, which I know for a lot of football managers is the case. Yes, some players go back, of course they do as managers, but for a lot, on a lot of occasions you’re kind of going in somewhere cold. How much of an advantage do you think it does give you and the other lads?”
Dyche: “Well, I can only hope the advantage gives you. The fan base knows we care, they must do, because of our history. You can’t have all these connections and not care, that’s for sure.
“So we want to care for the club, the fans, players’ staff, but also the badge, and try and protect the badge, because it’s a big badge down the history of football, and it’s got its own history, quite obviously. So I’d like to think that would be certainly a given, really, because we do care we want to do well.
“But really it’s just trying to safeguard the club at this time. It’s gone into an awkward period and it’s our job to bring it out of that awkward period. Not just mine, the staff, the players, all reconnecting, finding their way forward to get results and then hopefully the fans will come quickly onto the back of that as well and I’m sure they will.
Interviewer: “Have you got a message for those fans?
Dyche: “You know what? To keep supporting because they’ve had a tough time recently but I’ve been here for many years on and off. Through the journey from when I was 17, 16 sorry, right the way through to now.
“I’ve been here as a supporter in the sense of coming to watch Woney and Stoney play and the likes. I’ve been here as assistant manager and a coach. I’ve been here as a manager and I’m here as the manager.
“So I know there’s a value in the supporters about the club and the badge. So all I can do is hopefully play my part and that’s what we want to do. We want to play our part, secure what’s going on here and hopefully build on that.”
Interviewer: “We’re going to talk more about Porto tomorrow.”
Dyche: “We’ve some homework to do.”
Interviewer: “But just finally from me, a word about the very tragic news this week that’s happened regarding Stuart Pearce, of course, a legend of this club as well, and the tragic passing of his son. Have you got a message for the Pearces?”
Dyche: “Just that he’s a good friend of mine and, you know, for him and his sorry, I awful, as you say, tragic times, and I can only wish them well in the sense of coming through this period and our heart and thoughts go out to them all.”
Here’s how fans reacted after Sean Dyche gives his first interview on being named as new Nottingham Forest head coach…
@Gibbo8: As first interviews go, that’s a belter. We’re all going to war with him at the frontline. Love it
@AidanAlec1: oh my god he’s got me already. we’re winning the league
@Russell17Zak: Seen more in 11 mins, than I did in 39 days under Ange. No ego in sight, and understands the club and the job at hand. Welcome home, Sean! #nffc
@tom_banx: Mentioning A Block after 1min 41 seconds of his first interview. I’m running through walls mate
@ian87730: How can Sean be more convincing in 11 mins than the aussie twat in 39 days !! Great interview you know hes going to be busting a gut to achieve success here!
@PaulWalford1991: Sean can you mention you won the Championship at Burnley at all like the last manager seemed to mention his achievements every five minutes.
@warrenallsworth: Done more to talk about the club and it’s importance and build a relationship with fans in ten minutes than Ange did in his entire tenure.
@barty_1975: After the absolute guff I’ve listened to over the past few weeks of Ange interviews, what a brilliant refreshing tonic this interview is. He gets what the badge means… C’mon Dychey.. U reds! 🌳
@DamndSMC: This man knows his Forest onions! See you in Tent nav gaffer!!
@Reds1865: Wow. I’m all in. Love the honesty, the energy, the Cloughie connection, the A-block reference, the reminder to the players how brilliant they were last season, and so on…. Onwards and upwards! 👊 #NFFC
@febbington: Sean I am in love with you and I’m being serious
@JonnySRi: Makes you realise how much Ange was all about Ange, nothing bigger. Dyche and the team are here for Forest, understand Forest, love Forest!
