Sean Dyche has defended Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, insisting the Greek shipping magnate is realistic about the club's current plight. The new Forest manager, appointed on Tuesday, said Marinakis is fully aware of the challenge ahead as the club sit in the Premier League relegation zone.
Dyche, who signed a deal until 2027, becomes Forest's third manager of the season following the dismissals of Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou. He begins his reign with a Europa League match against Porto on Thursday, with the Reds winless in 10 games across all competitions.
“I spoke to him and the people he thinks are important at the club about the prospect of it once the decision was made with the outgoing manager,” Dyche said. “He spoke very openly to me about the challenge. He’s aware of the challenge. I don’t think he thinks he’s a gimme just because of last season.”
The 54-year-old, who spent time at Forest as a trainee under Brian Clough, stressed the need for stability and a return to basics. “The first thing is can we just stabilise the situation? Then can you move it forward? But it still needs the basics putting back into the team, I think, because I think they just lost sight of that a little bit,” he added.
Dyche confirmed striker Chris Wood is a doubt for the Porto clash but expressed excitement about leading the club on a European night. “What a great experience to be back at Nottingham Forest as a manager and then a European night. That’s a great occasion,” he said.
