New Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche forced to cancel local appearances after taking City Ground helm and kicking off reign with European win

It has been a busy couple of days for Dyche since succeeding Postecoglou in the Forest dugout on Tuesday. The former Everton and Burnley boss took over the reins after his Australian counterpart was dismissed following a 3-0 defeat against Chelsea which ensured they failed to win any of their eight games under his stewardship. Former Tottenham head coach Postecoglou was Forest’s second manager of the season after Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked just three games into the campaign.

But despite having just a few days to work with his new players, Dyche led Forest to an impressive 2-0 victory over Portuguese giants Porto in the Europa League on Thursday evening. Goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus handed the club their first victory since the opening weekend of the Premier League season, when they defeated Brentford 3-1 on home soil.

And while Dyche, a Forest academy graduate, has quickly felt the love from supporters following Thursday’s victory, he has been forced to disappoint one or two fans in his home town since taking the job. In a report from the BBC, Dyche was pencilled in to appear at the opening ceremony for the Poppies Community Centre in Kettering - where he was born - but texted to say he would no longer be able to make it.

However, in an interview with BBC Radio Northampton, Paula Conde-Sharpe - from the community group - insisted there was no hard feelings, saying she had hoped Dyche was appointed as Forest’s new manager.

"He really selfishly got the Nottingham job, so he's not available,” joked Ms Conde-Sharpe.

"He's a great Kettering lad. He never forgets his roots. He's done so much for Kettering Football Club, he never charges the club for appearances."

Detailing how the centre was ready to open after local volunteers spent 16 years transforming the old Maplefields school, Ms Conde-Sharpe added: "It's been a long, long time to get this over the line. The school was very sad, tired - there were even trees growing inside, it had been neglected for so long.”

Ms Conde-Sharpe is not worried about Dyche’s absence ahead Sunday's opening, saying ”plenty of exciting guests are coming", including former Kettering Town midfielder Brett Solkhon.

Speaking before his side’s clash with Porto, Dyche confirmed he also had to cancel a commitment with credit card company Aqua Credit in order to attend his maiden press conference as Forest manager.

“Well, the briefing I was meant to be doing today was actually for Aqua Credit because I did an online advert for them," said Dyche. "That was planned for today. Needless to say I had to cancel that!

“No, it’s true. I had to let them know that I wouldn’t be available for that, so I’m pleased to say that I am available to be Nottingham Forest football manager and be here today.”

Dyche and Forest are searching for a precious league win when they take on high-flying Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Whereas Forest’s sole victory came against Brentford on August 17, Andoni Iraola’s side have won four of their eight league games this term. The Cherries are currently fifth and have not lost in the league since the 4-2 reverse against Liverpool on the opening night of the season.

Ahead of his first league match in charge of Forest, Dyche was full of praise for Iraola’s work at Bournemouth, saying: “There’s a lot of respect for what he (Iraola) has done there. I faced him in his early days when he was playing more what you imagine Spanish football to be like.

“He learned very quickly and the next time they were a different animal; they were playing forwards and they were aggressive, not in the way of kicking the opposition but the energy and commitment of the side. He’s done a very good job.

“It’s certainly a tough game, but this is the Premier League — it’s unforgiving and every game is going to be tough.”