Earlier this season, as the Premier League's tactical landscape shifted towards a greater emphasis on long throws, dangerous set-pieces, and direct football, one out-of-work manager must have allowed himself a wry smile. That man was Sean Dyche.
The Dyche Philosophy: Effective Over Aesthetic
The former Burnley and Everton boss, often criticised for a pragmatic and structured approach, has never wavered from his core belief. Appointed by Nottingham Forest in late October 2025, after Ange Postecoglou's brief and stylistically opposite tenure, Dyche immediately set about implementing his methods. In an early press conference, he dismissed the idea of being a tactical trendsetter, stating his focus was solely on what he deemed effective for Premier League survival and success.
"I’ve always just viewed football through what I think is correct," Dyche explained. "I know the stats, the facts, the demands, the passing lanes... They’re the things you need to know and they’re the things I’m trying to imprint on the players." This unwavering self-belief has proven to be the foundation for a stunning turnaround at the City Ground.
A Stunning Turnaround at the City Ground
The impact has been immediate and profound. When Dyche arrived, Forest had not won a match in nearly two months. His tenure has sparked a dramatic reversal in fortunes. In his first 12 games in charge, Nottingham Forest have secured seven victories, including impressive wins against Tottenham and Liverpool.
This run has propelled the team into the latter stages of the Europa League and shifted their gaze from the relegation scrap towards the top half of the Premier League table. It's a remarkable recovery for a manager who left Everton in January 2025, now proving his methods can work with a squad boasting talents like Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson.
The Set-Piece Paradox and Future Challenges
Ironically, Dyche's initial success hasn't been built on the set-piece prowess for which his teams are famous. Of the 21 goals scored under him across all competitions, only three have come from dead-ball situations (excluding penalties). In fact, only four Premier League clubs have scored fewer set-piece goals than Forest this entire season.
This is an area ripe for improvement, especially as the team conceded 11 set-piece goals earlier in the campaign—a likely hangover from Postecoglou's training methods. Enhancing this record will be crucial for sustained success under Dyche, particularly given owner Evangelos Marinakis's famed impatience and his ultimate ambition of Champions League football.
If Dyche continues this success, it could prompt a broader re-evaluation of so-called 'old-school' British managers in the top flight. For now, Forest fans are simply enjoying the ride, hoping that in a season tailor-made for his philosophy, Sean Dyche might just be the perfect manager at the perfect time.
