New Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche has called on his squad to rekindle their bond with supporters after a turbulent start to the season.

The 54-year-old, who took charge on Tuesday, becomes Forest’s third manager in just six weeks, replacing Ange Postecoglou, who lasted only 39 days following the dismissal of Nuno Espirito Santo in September.

Postecoglou struggled to win over fans, with chants of “you’ll be sacked in the morning” echoing around the stands during a 3-2 Europa League defeat to Midtjylland last month.

For Dyche, the task now is not only to improve results but also to rebuild trust between the players and the supporters who have grown increasingly frustrated.

“We want to get back on the front foot, in old football terminology, and hopefully give the crowd something to cheer about and reconnect,” Dyche told BBC Radio Nottingham.

“The Forest fans, in my experience, have been very fair down the years and I don’t think it’s far away from the team reconnecting. The first thing is performances — get them back on that winning edge they have shown.”

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Subscribe to 1440 today.

A Club in Decline After a Promising Rise

Just a few months ago, Forest looked like a club on the up. Under Nuno last season, they finished seventh in the Premier League — their highest league placing in three decades. But this campaign has been a stark contrast.

The club currently sits 18th, winless since the opening day and struggling for both confidence and cohesion.

Forest’s defensive frailties have been particularly alarming — they have failed to keep a clean sheet in 20 consecutive matches, a run stretching back to their victory over Manchester United in April. Coincidentally, United will return to the City Ground on 1 November, a date Dyche will already have circled in red.

Before then, his immediate focus will be Thursday’s Europa League clash with Porto, followed by a crucial league trip to Bournemouth on Sunday.

Building from the Basics

Dyche, renowned for his no-nonsense approach and defensive discipline, made clear that restoring structure will be his top priority.

“The basics have always got to be in place,” he explained. “Strong, fit and organised is a good start point. I want the players to have their freedom to go and play.”

After his first meeting with the squad, Dyche said he was impressed with the talent available but stressed the need to rediscover consistency and belief.

“There’s some talent here. So how can we find that balance — the risk and reward going forward to score goals, but also the base which has been such a good weapon for Forest?” he said.

“It’s about reassuring them what good players we think they are and reminding them of what they’ve already done. We respect the past, but now it’s about how we build that forward.”

Returning to His Roots

For Dyche, the move to Nottingham Forest represents more than just another managerial job — it’s a homecoming.

He first joined the club’s academy in the late 1980s, learning his trade under the legendary Brian Clough. Though he never made a senior appearance, those years shaped his football philosophy and forged an emotional connection that endures to this day.

“When I was here between 1987 and 1990, that team was regularly finishing in the top six of the old First Division and winning the Littlewoods Trophy,” Dyche recalled. “We’re not quite there yet, the fans know that, but it’s about building momentum. The club has just lost its way a little bit.”

He fondly reminisced about life as a young apprentice under Clough’s stewardship.

“Everyone knows I’ve spoken about my affection for Forest over the years and the beginning of my career under the great Brian Clough,” Dyche said. “I have fond memories of wandering down the Trent with Del Boy [Clough’s dog] running past your feet and hearing the boss’ voice in the distance. It’s strange to be back, but it’s a very pleasing thing.”

A Manager with Experience and Edge

Dyche brings with him a wealth of managerial experience built across more than a decade in English football.

After leaving Forest as a player in 1990 to join Chesterfield, he went on to enjoy spells at Bristol City, Millwall, Watford, and Northampton Town.

His managerial reputation was forged at Burnley, where he spent ten years establishing the club as a resilient Premier League outfit despite limited resources. More recently, he managed Everton, guiding them to safety before his tenure ended in January.

For Forest, Dyche’s pragmatic style and motivational edge could prove the ideal antidote to the chaos that has engulfed the club in recent months.

Rebuilding Belief at the City Ground

Dyche’s appointment has sparked cautious optimism among supporters who are desperate for stability and a clear identity. His return to the club’s roots — both literally and philosophically — feels like a symbolic reset.

The manager’s message is simple: restore the fundamentals, reignite the passion, and reconnect the team with the City Ground faithful.

“It’s come round my way, and I’m very pleased and proud,” Dyche said. “You imagine one day it could happen — and now it has. It’s time to get to work.”