Europa League beckons as Dyche prepares for Forest bow
Nottingham Forest are aiming for success on their third attempt as fresh manager Sean Dyche assumes control ahead of the Europa League clash with Porto on Thursday.
As the third head coach this turbulent campaign for Forest, Dyche steps in at the City Ground to guide a team desperate for their initial victory in the tournament, having collected only a single point from the prior two fixtures.
Appointed midweek to succeed the dismissed Ange Postecoglou, who claimed the Europa League trophy the previous season with Tottenham yet endured just 40 days at Forest, Dyche understands that triumph alone will satisfy the volatile owner Evangelos Marinakis.
For the 54-year-old, this debut with Forest represents a significant personal achievement, being his inaugural European proper match from the bench since entering senior management 14 years back with Watford.
During the 2018/19 season, his Burnley team featured in the Europa League play-offs yet fell to Olympiacos, thus bypassing the group stage.
Dyche has earned acclaim as a practical tactician who secures outcomes, even if the play lacks flair at times.
"There is genuine ability in this squad, so our task is to strike that equilibrium," Dyche stated on the official club site on Tuesday.
"The potential gains and hazards of attacking... yet also the sturdy foundation that proved so vital for the team, especially in the prior campaign.
"Achieving that equilibrium will prove essential."
At first glance, Dyche's approach seems to mirror that of Nuno Espirito Santo, who kicked off the season in charge at Forest.
Initially disliked after succeeding Steve Cooper two years prior, the Portuguese coach gradually earned the supporters' approval through an impressive 2024-25 Premier League run.
Nuno's squad held a top-four spot for significant portions of the season, before a late stumble, but still earned a European return.
However, following his dispute with Marinakis and Postecoglou's trophyless stint, Forest now occupy the Premier League drop zone with merely five points from eight matches, despite reinforcements exceeding £180 million ($241 million) in summer spending.
In the opening phase of Europe's secondary club event, they linger in the drop area entering the third round of games after drawing 2-2 at Real Betis and losing 3-2 at home to Midtjylland.
Robust, conditioned, structured
With five goals shipped in the tournament to date, Dyche is set to spend the available two days reinforcing a vulnerable defence.
"Fundamentals must always be established. Robust, conditioned, and structured forms a solid starting point," Dyche remarked.
Opponents are Porto, the Portuguese top-flight frontrunners, positioned sixth in the Europa League table boasting two victories from two outings.
That said, they have netted just three times overall, presenting Forest with an opportunity to acclimatise to the new leadership against opponents who lack prolific forward momentum.
Launching his spell by securing Forest's first European success since 1995, no less against the 2004 Champions League victors Porto, would greatly aid Dyche in winning over supporters and the owner right away.
Troubled Rangers feature a new leader too, in the form of youthful German coach Danny Rohl.
The 36-year-old joined on Monday after Russell Martin's exit amid a woeful season launch for the Scottish powerhouse at home and abroad.
Sitting 32nd, they face a journey to Norwegian side Brann, aiming for their debut points following narrow losses to Genk and Sturm Graz.
Premier League outfit Aston Villa head to the Netherlands to meet Go Ahead Eagles, with Unai Emery's group focused on preserving their flawless tournament record.
In other action, Fenerbahce entertain Stuttgart, Nice head to Celta Vigo, and Celtic host Sturm Graz.