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The decision to sack Ange Postecoglou after 39 days in charge was "ludicrous", but former Nottingham Forest manager Mark Warburton believes new boss Sean Dyche is a "safe pair of hands".

Owner Evangelos Marinakis has already dismissed two head coaches this season, with Nuno Espirito Santo's exit followed closely by Postecoglou's, and he has now turned to the experienced Dyche to try to bring some much-needed stability.

The Greek businessman has a track record for hiring and firing managers, with Dyche the ninth permanent manager at the City Ground since Marinakis' takeover of the club in 2017.

Warburton has had first-hand experience of the owner's ruthless decision-making, having been his first dismissal in 2017 after just nine months in charge.

"For me, the owner set a series of key performance indicators, you hit all the KPIs, but if the owner is not happy about something then you are gone. It was as simple as that," Warburton told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I remember sitting on New Year's Eve, preparing for a game and get knock on the door, and you are gone. That is how he acts. He is ruthless in that sense. It is his club and he supports it, he writes the cheques and I get that.

"He sees Sean as a safe pair of hands. He thinks he made a mistake with Ange.

"It is ludicrous. How can anyone impose a playing style, philosophy, belief on players - let alone the club itself - in 39 days?

"The decision itself is completely wrong. But having made that now, what do you do? Ange was brave and a different style to Nuno. Sean is far more alongside the lines of Nuno.

"From afar, I think it a case of getting someone more like Nuno to try to rectify what they see as a wrong. There is no doubt that Ange was treated appallingly.

"I don't agree with the sacking of Ange, but I understand why they have brought Sean in because he ticks a lot of boxes for what they need."

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Former Nottingham Forest forward Paul McGregor says Sean Dyche is "tailor-made" for the City Ground dugout.

Dyche, a former Forest academy player, has also managed Everton and Burnley in the Premier League.

McGregor told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I don't think it's any secret that most Forest fans feel that Ange [Postecoglou] just didn't have the squad to do what he wanted to do. It was Nuno's [Espirito Santo] squad.

"A quick change was what was called for, and I think we have the right man for the job.

"This is what the city needs and what the club needs - but, more importantly, what the lads on the pitch need."

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Sean Dyche is the "right man at the right time" for Nottingham Forest, according to former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

Ex-Everton manager Dyche has been appointed as Forest's third manager this season after replacing Ange Postecoglou.

He takes over after Postecoglou lasted just 39 days in the job, himself having replaced Nuno Espirito Santo on 9 September.

Forest are 18th in the Premier League and winless since the opening day of the season, with Dyche facing the media on Wednesday before Thursday's Europa League visit of Porto.

"It's probably the right man at the right time. For both, it's the right fit for him and I think for Forest," said Robinson, who played at Burnley for Dyche before retiring in 2017.

"He has an excellent ability to be the boss but also have the dressing room on side, to be one of the lads but also have that respect and the time where you know he's the boss.

"His ability to integrate himself in the dressing room but, at the same time, keep his distance is great."

After facing Porto, Forest travel to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Wayne Hennessey has left his coaching position with the club. The goalkeeper retired at the end of last season with Forest creating a role for him under Nuno Espirito Santo to work with goalkeeping coach Rui Barbosa.

But Hennessey, whose 109 caps for Wales is the most for a goalkeeper, departed while working under Ange Postecoglou, although it is believed to have been his decision to leave the City Ground.

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

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Sean Dyche will have to hit the ground running at Nottingham Forest and stop the rot after Ange Postecoglou's ill-fated tenure.

Here are four urgent issues the new head coach needs to fix.

Establish a clear playing style

Forest thrived last season by defending deep and breaking rapidly on the counter-attack, but their summer recruitment and subsequent appointment of Postecoglou, demonstrated the club hierarchy wanted a more possession-focused style.

That clearly has not paid off and hiring Dyche is an admission they need to go back to basics.

Decide on his best line-up

Forest used fewer players in the top flight than any other side last season, before spending £193m on 13 new players in the transfer window. It has left them with a bloated squad.

Omari Hutchinson, Arnaud Kalimuendo and James McAtee - signed for a combined £85m - were left out of the matchday squad for Postecoglou's final match against Chelsea.

Historically, Dyche has been reluctant to rotate, averaging just 1.2 line-up changes per top-flight game at Burnley and 1.6 at Everton.

In fact, since making his managerial debut in the Premier League he has named an unchanged side 89 times, comfortably more than anyone else.

If it comes down to a choice between prioritising results and sharing out minutes to keep players happy, he is unlikely to let sentiment affect his selection.

Organise the defence

Forest were a tough nut to crack in 2024-25, but have yet to keep a clean sheet this term and conceded 11 times from set-pieces in their eight games under Postecoglou.

Given the aerial ability of centre-backs Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo, Dyche will surely be confident of improving that dismal record.

Get Chris Wood scoring

The New Zealander netted 20 Premier League goals last season - a total bettered by only three players - but has just two in so far this time around, with both coming on the opening weekend.

While he turns 34 in December, Wood enjoyed plenty of success playing under Dyche at Burnley so could prove a key figure.

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Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, 22, has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United. (Mirror), external

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New Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche says he is "very pleased and very proud" to return to the club where he came through the youth system as a player.

Dyche did not make a first-team appearance but continued to visit the City Ground as a fan throughout his career.

"Down the years, I've spoken openly about my affection for the beginning of my career at Nottingham Forest under the great Brian Clough," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"I didn't quite force my way into the first team but I had three great years here as an apprentice and young pro.

"It's a strange thing to be back but a very good thing, a very pleasing thing, and something I'm hoping to do well at.

"I'm very pleased and very proud to be Nottingham Forest manager."

Dyche replaces Ange Postecoglou, who became the shortest-serving permanent manager in Premier League history following his dismissal after just 39 days.

However, the former Burnley and Everton boss believes the trajectory of the club can continue to rise.

"From Stevie Cooper, I saw the job that he did and how quickly he turned things round and began the process," said Dyche.

"One day it comes that you go and Nuno [Espirito Santo] came in and had a fantastic season. The latest manager has had a tough gig and I understand that. I am not questioning him - each manager has their way to do things.

"I've noticed the growth at the club, both off the pitch with the financial backing and on the pitch with some of the performances and great moments they have had, culminating in a big season last season.

"What a fantastic season. I thought they were excellent last season and I've already told the players. I marvelled at some of their performances, both individually and collectively, and the atmosphere around the City Ground."

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Pat Riddell
Fan writer

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There isn't a soul in the world who could have predicted the relief of employing Sean Dyche just eight games into the season. But the chaos caused by losing Nuno Espírito Santo and appointing Ange Postecoglou is a typically Nottingham Forest thing.

Dyche has his detractors, and I think we all really wonder what he's capable of — but he, of course, is here to prove exactly that.

Having thrived at Burnley on meagre resources and saved Everton under difficult circumstances, when the chips are down then everyone knows he's your man.

Forest should be targeting a similar finish to last year but we already find ourselves in a relegation battle. Dyche's first job is to reinstate the defensive resolve that was one of the Premier League's top records, only to crumble away in recent games.

The former City Ground trainee will undoubtedly get us organised again but also bring back the pride that has also disintegrated since September. The new manager knows the club, knows the city and knows the fans — his priority will be to unite all three and put everyone back in the same direction.

Easier said than done but deal with shape on the pitch, the work on and off the ball, and set-pieces in defence and attack… then you've got one of the most talented squads in the Premier League. One that just needs a system and formation they understand.

Make no mistake, Dyche has a job on his hands — getting out of trouble and then climbing the table — but whether he's a short-term appointment or here for the long haul is a question for the future.

The season is not too evolved to be saved and he knows as well as anyone it's the opportunity of a lifetime — just one that neither he, nor us, expected to present itself. Good luck, Sean.

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Colin Fray
BBC Radio Nottingham reporter

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Sean Dyche is a manger who worked wonders with Burnley over 10 years. He has pedigree and I expect organisation from him.

He attracted a bit of criticism for his style at Everton, but he managed to steer them through the point deduction situation - as Nuno Espirito Santo did for Forest.

He will be organised and disciplined. He will focus on being strong at the back and wanting to keep clean sheets.

But, most importantly, he will foster a unifying spirit and bring the fans back on board.

He will - like any other coach - need results, but I can see the Forest squad responding to him and he will help to unify fans who have been disillusioned by the past couple of months.

Listen to full commentary on every Nottingham Forest game, and In The Game every weeknight from 18:00, on BBC Radio Nottingham.

And subscribe to the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast on BBC Sounds.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Nottingham Forest fans never took to Ange Postecoglou - not that they had much time together.

In the 39 days of Postecoglou's reign they turned after just 23, goading him he was going to be sacked during defeat to Midtjylland.

Now, supporters have to get behind Sean Dyche as Forest's third manager in six weeks and if he can do what Postecoglou failed to do in his eight games - win - then it will be a far more harmonious relationship.

Forest, in the Premier League relegation zone, need victories and managers can quickly make friends with three points.

Chief organiser Dyche is expected to quickly bring Forest to order, a side who have conceded 15 and scored just five in the league this season.

Do that and victories should come and once they do any doubters will come on board swiftly enough.

Nuno Espirito Santo - it seems a long time since he started the season as manager - and Steve Cooper had to win over supporters and did it in spectacular style, Cooper earning promotion to the Premier League and Nuno taking the club back to Europe.

One of Dyche's strongest skills is unifying a squad and fanbase and while he may have to win round some supporters, he lives locally and knows the club having been in the academy so he should easily be able to tap into the fans' feelings.

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Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton gave his evaluation on Nottingham Forest's new manager Sean Dyche on the latest episode of BBC Radio 5's Monday Night Club.

"Sean Dyche has always managed clubs where it has been a struggle," Sutton said.

"He bucked the trend at Burnley and got the best out of the players he had and proved himself to be an extremely capable manager. At Everton, he took over a team in trouble and stabilised the club, he had points deductions to contend with.

"Nottingham Forest want to stay in the league so it seems a sensible appointment. They won't go down, they have too many good players."

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Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

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Sean Dyche isn't coming to Nottingham Forest alone; joining him on the coaching staff are long-time lieutenants Steve Stone and Ian Woan, both of whom have deep roots at the club. Dyche has added two more familiar names to his backroom staff: Billy Mercer as goalkeeping coach and Tony Loughlan as an assistant.

For younger Forest fans, the pair of Stone and Woan were integral figures during the 1990s. Woan, a cultured left midfielder, was known for his superb delivery and long-range goals, including a stunning strike against Bayern Munich in the 1996 Uefa Cup that remains etched in Forest folklore. He was also the only player to play for Forest in each year of the 1990s.

Stone, meanwhile, came through the club's youth system and went on to make more than 200 appearances, earning England caps during one of Forest's last sustained spells in the Premier League under Frank Clark.

Meanwhile, Mercer has been a long-serving member of Dyche's coaching team, having worked with him throughout their successful spell at Burnley, where they achieved multiple Premier League seasons and a European qualification campaign built on defensive discipline and cohesion.

Loughlan, on the other hand, is another link to Forest's past. A midfielder who came through the ranks at the City Ground in the late 1980s before going on to play for Leicester City, he reunites with Dyche and Woan after previously serving under the manager at Burnley.

For Forest, the appointments carry a strong sense of continuity and nostalgia - a backroom team steeped in shared experience and with deep connections to the club's identity from the 1990s, now tasked with guiding a new generation through a challenging Premier League season.

Nottingham Forest have appointed former Burnley and Everton boss Sean Dyche as their new manager.

Dyche sat down with the team at Shut Up And Show More Football in 2023 to discuss the quirks of football, music and life.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

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We asked for your views on Nottingham Forest announcing Sean Dyche as the club's new head coach.

Some of you are thrilled:

Martin: Spot on - should have hired him straight after Nuno. Will get us organised and bring out the best in the star players - and the new players, who must be wondering what they signed up to!!

Patrick: Dyche is a solid appointment given where we are and the other options out there were not great. We have played the 'sexy football' card already with Ange and it turned us into a complete mess. You cannot keep gambling, Forest need to stay in the Premier League.

Amol: Sean Dyche will offer stability that Nottingham Forest need. But, their fans might miss out on the success and the style of football they enjoyed under Nuno.

Chris: Whilst it's not a great appointment. I think it's exactly what Forest need right now to sort the team out and give them the confidence back.

Others are no so happy:

Ben: Will Dyche be the manager to propel Forest on to more than we achieved last year? No. Is he going to steady the ship enough and manage the relationship with the fans better so that we don't have an absolute calamity of a season? I really hope so.

Bill: Sean Dyche is an adequate Premier League manager but his appointment shows a lack of ambition at Forest who are likely to remain a bottom half of the table team under him.

Rob: They must be desperate. Dyche is the most boring manager ever. Nobody else would work for Marinakis.

David: What a joke football is now, especially the Premier league. Managers circulate from club to club. We will never have a Robson or Ferguson again because they never get a chance to bed in and make their mark. The fear of a lack of success is so great.

Nottingham Forest are "the most owner-defined club since Abramovich's Chelsea," said Rory Smith on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"Loyalty of the fans almost seems to skip the manager and is with Evangelos Marinakis because of everything he has done for the club.

"By that I mean taking them up to the Premier League, keeping them up and pushing them back into Europe. You can see why they adore him so much.

"But there is a price to pay for a man, who is used to getting his own way, being allowed to define the club by what he wants because this is when you do get a bit of managerial chaos."

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Sean Dyche is Nottingham Forest's new head coach.

He will be joined by his coaching team of Ian Woan and Steve Stone, who together made more than 400 appearances for the club in the 1990's.

Dyche, who has overseen over 330 Premier League matches in his career to date, has signed a contract until the summer of 2027 and will take charge against Porto in the Europa League on Thursday.

Is Dyche the safe pair of hands that you wanted? And what do you make of the contract length?

Get in touch with your views here