Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche won’t play Scrooge over players’ Christmas dinner
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Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche during the 3-0 English Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground on Dec 14.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche said he will not be weighing his players when they return after Christmas, unlike Pep Guardiola, the manager of his next opponents Manchester City.
However, he does expect them to use their common sense while tucking into their festive dinner.
Guardiola had said he would be checking his players’ weight when they return to the club on Dec 25, and anyone judged to have over-indulged will not travel to take on Forest in the English Premier League on Dec 27.
Dyche was speaking about the issue at a press conference on Dec 23 ahead of the game.
“I think it’s (weighing the players) unlikely. I presume you’re talking about Pep, is he weighing himself, do you think? I wonder... one rule for one... Come on Pep,” the Englishman said with a smile.
“I always say to the players, on your passport it says ‘professional footballer’ not just ‘footballer’, so, everyone wants to be a footballer, what about the professional side of it?
“I’m just looking for the players to use a bit of common sense.”
Forest lost 1-0 at Fulham on Dec 22 to remain 17th in the standings and five points above the relegation zone, but Dyche still wants his side to enjoy their time off before facing second-placed City.
“I don’t mind them having a Christmas dinner, why not? Sometimes, the psychology is as important as anything with athletes and within reason you want them to enjoy their Christmas Day,” he added.
“I certainly do. It’s a big part of their life. I do consider fitness important, but I’m not obsessed with weights and all that sort of stuff. They’ll be encouraged to enjoy their day, they have got the day off, which I wanted to do.”
Guardiola, meanwhile, has a totally different mindset from Dyche.
“Every player makes a weight,” said the Spaniard. “They come back on the 25th and I will be there controlling how many kilos come up, (to see if) they come fatty.
“The moment they arrive after three days, I want to see how they come back. They can eat, but I want to control them.”
Management styles can differ, and Dyche also pulled out an impression of Brian Clough, when asked how Forest's greatest-ever manager used to run things at the club.
“Get the bairns (children) on the knee, have a lager if you wish to, but be prepared,” he said. REUTERS, AFP
