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

Sean Dyche had to pull out of a community event which had named him as their guest of honour following his appointment as Nottingham Forest manager. The 54-year-old was scheduled to make a special appearance in his home town of Kettering but was forced to cancel after making an emotional return to the City Ground following Ange Postecoglou’s sacking.

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  Dyche is Forest's third manager of the season after Ange and Nuno sackings

  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.

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  Ex-Everton and Burnley boss made perfect start with Porto victory in midweek

  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.

• New Forest manager was forced to pull out of local event following appointment

  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 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 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.

• Dyche also had to cancel a commitment with a credit card company

  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.”