Morgan Gibbs-White expressed that he feels a sense of relief after Nottingham Forest overcame a challenging period with a Europa League win over Porto in Sean Dyche’s debut match as manager.
The Reds had struggled, failing to secure a win since their season opener, which ultimately led to the dismissal of popular coach Nuno Espirito Santo and the recent sacking of his successor, Ange Postecoglou, just 39 days into his tenure.
Dyche, appointed as Forest’s third manager of the season, celebrated a crucial 2-0 victory against previously unbeaten Porto, marking the club’s first European win in 30 years at the City Ground.
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Skipper Gibbs-White opened the scoring with a penalty, followed by Igor Jesus sealing the win with another spot-kick, ending a frustrating 10-match winless streak across all competitions.
“I feel like I can finally breathe,” the Forest captain told TNT Sports. “The last few months have been tough with the changes and poor performances. It feels great to get our first win in eight or nine games.”
“To do it here at the City Ground on a European night is incredible, and no one deserves this more than our fans. Those three points are for them for their unwavering support.”
Gibbs-White credited Dyche for revitalizing the team’s morale, creating a more energetic and positive atmosphere—something the new manager could sense reflected in the team’s performance.
However, Dyche emphasized that this victory is just the beginning for a side currently sitting 18th in the Premier League, with only five points from the first eight matches.
“It’s encouraging for everyone connected with the club,” Dyche remarked. “But it’s just one step; we need to improve in the Premier League as well.”
“We aim to be competitive in all competitions, as any manager would. This tournament holds significant importance for our club’s history in Europe, and it’s wonderful to return after so many years.”
“That being said, we must improve our Premier League form—it’s critical to change our current standing.”
Next, Forest will travel to face high-flying Bournemouth on Sunday, looking to build on the renewed energy displayed after the managerial shift.
Asked about the fans’ enthusiastic chants of “Forest are back,” Dyche responded modestly: “Honestly, on the sideline, you don’t catch every word. You hear the atmosphere, and you can tell if it’s positive or negative noise. I wasn’t focused on that.”
“My role is not to assess or critique. It’s simply to deliver results for the club, and that’s exactly what I plan to do.”