Nottingham Forest are banking on new manager Sean Dyche to inspire an immediate turnaround as the English side prepare to host Porto in the Europa League on Thursday. Dyche, the club’s third manager this season, steps into a challenging role with Forest still seeking their first win in the competition after two winless outings.
Appointed on Tuesday to replace Ange Postecoglou, Dyche inherits a squad struggling for form and confidence. The former Burnley boss faces the difficult task of reviving a team that sits in the Premier League relegation zone with just five points from eight games, despite over £180 million spent in the summer transfer window. Forest have also made a sluggish start in Europe, drawing 2-2 at Real Betis before losing 3-2 at home to Midtjylland.
For Dyche, the match against Porto marks a personal milestone — his first managerial appearance in a European competition proper. His previous taste came in 2018/19, when Burnley fell short in the Europa League play-offs against Olympiacos. Known for his pragmatic and disciplined approach, Dyche is expected to focus on tightening a defence that has already conceded five goals in the group stage.
“The basics have always got to be in place. Strong, fit, and organised is always a good place to start,” he noted, signalling a return to structure and resilience at the City Ground.
Porto, who lead the Portuguese league and have collected maximum points in Europe so far, will pose a stern test. However, their modest return of three goals from two matches could give Forest hope of a steady debut under their new boss.
A win would not only lift Forest’s European campaign but also ease pressure on owner Evangelos Marinakis, whose impatience has already seen two managers dismissed this season. For Dyche, victory over a side of Porto’s calibre could quickly earn him the support of both the fans and the board.
Elsewhere in the Europa League, Aston Villa travel to the Netherlands to face Go Ahead Eagles, Fenerbahce meet Stuttgart, Nice visit Celta Vigo, and Celtic host Sturm Graz. Rangers, under new coach Danny Rohl, visit Brann in search of their first points of the campaign.
