Nottingham Forest will be hoping for a third-time lucky as new manager Sean Dyche takes charge for Thursday’s Europa League showdown against two-time European champions Porto.

Dyche is already Forest’s third manager of a turbulent season and inherits a side yet to record a win in Europe, having collected just one point from their opening two group-stage matches. Appointed on Tuesday to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou—who lasted just 40 days at the City Ground despite winning last season’s Europa League with Tottenham—Dyche knows that only victory will satisfy Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

For Dyche, the match represents a personal milestone: it will be his first senior European match in 14 years. In 2018/19, his Burnley side reached the Europa League play-offs but were eliminated by Olympiacos, failing to reach the group stage.

Dyche brings a reputation for pragmatism and results-oriented football, prioritising organisation over flair.

“There’s some real talent here, so our job now is to find that balance,” Dyche told the club’s website. “The risk and reward of going forward, but equally the solid base which has been such a big weapon for the club, particularly last season. Finding that balance will be key.”

Dyche’s pragmatic style bears similarities to that of Nuno Espirito Santo, who began the season as Forest manager after succeeding Steve Cooper two years ago. Despite early unpopularity, Nuno led Forest to a sensational 2024-25 Premier League campaign, finishing in the top four before narrowly missing out on European glory.

However, following Nuno’s departure and Postecoglou’s winless tenure, Forest now sit in the Premier League relegation zone with just five points from eight games, despite more than £180 million spent in the summer transfer window. In the Europa League, they occupy the elimination zone after a 2-2 draw at Real Betis and a 3-2 home defeat to Midtjylland.

Dyche will likely focus on tightening a leaky backline ahead of Porto’s visit. “The basics have always got to be in place. Strong, fit and organised is always a good place to start,” he said.

Porto arrive unbeaten in the group, winning both matches so far, though they have only scored three goals. That offers Forest a chance to adapt to Dyche’s regime against a team that is not overly free-flowing in attack.

A win against the 2004 Champions League winners would mark Forest’s first European victory since 1995 and provide a huge boost in building momentum with both fans and the club’s owner.

Elsewhere in the Europa League, struggling Rangers have a new manager in 36-year-old German Danny Rohl, following Russell Martin’s departure. Rangers travel to Norwegian side Brann seeking their first points after defeats to Genk and Sturm Graz.

Premier League side Aston Villa face Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands, with Unai Emery’s men looking to maintain a perfect record in the competition. Other fixtures include Fenerbahce hosting Stuttgart, Nice visiting Celta Vigo, and Celtic welcoming Sturm Graz.