Sean Dyche has emphasized the need for Nottingham Forest to return to basics as he attempts to reverse a troubling start to the season. The club has already seen the departure of managers Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou. Dyche is set to take charge for the first time against Porto in the Europa League on Thursday, marking a return to the City Ground where he began his playing career nearly four decades ago.
The former Burnley and Everton manager is known for his direct playing style, which has faced criticism in the past for lacking flair. However, these tactics are gaining popularity in the Premier League, with long throw-ins and direct plays becoming more common this season.
“I have seen enough fashionistas come in and out of this division,” said Dyche on Wednesday. “You’ve got to win the games, it’s as simple as that. Long ball, short ball? You’ve just got to play effective football. That will never go out of fashion.”
Managerial Changes at Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest attempted to shift from Nuno’s conservative counter-attacking style to a more aggressive approach under Postecoglou. However, the Australian manager’s tenure was short-lived, lasting only 40 days, during which he failed to secure a win in eight matches. Forest, who finished seventh under Nuno last season, currently find themselves in the Premier League relegation zone and have managed just one point from their opening two Europa League matches.
Dyche stressed the importance of stabilizing the team. “As a football manager, a football coach, and football players, you should be wanting more, but the first thing is can we just stabilize the situation,” he added. “It still needs the basics put back into the team from my point of view, because they have lost sight of that a little bit.”
Challenges Ahead for Nottingham Forest
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is reportedly realistic about the club’s current challenges and recognizes that maintaining Premier League status is now the primary goal for the season. “He’s well aware of the challenges,” Dyche noted. “I don’t think he thinks it’s a gimme just because of last season.”
This development follows a period of upheaval for Forest, who are striving to find stability after a turbulent managerial carousel. The club’s decision to bring in Dyche is seen as a move towards grounding the team with a more pragmatic approach, focusing on results over style.
Looking Forward
As Dyche prepares for his debut match against Porto, the pressure is on to deliver immediate results. The Europa League fixture presents an opportunity for Dyche to implement his strategies and begin the process of rebuilding confidence within the squad. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining whether his back-to-basics philosophy can secure Nottingham Forest’s Premier League survival.
This situation at Nottingham Forest serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of football management, where results often dictate the longevity of a manager’s tenure. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Dyche to see if he can steer the club away from the relegation zone and stabilize their position in the league.
