Sean Dyche Getty Images December 23, 2025, 6:18 p.m

Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche has called on his players to exercise discretion during the Christmas holidays.

Unlike his Manchester City colleague Pep Guardiola, who introduced mandatory weighing of players after returning from the weekend, Dyche chose not to resort to such sanctions.

On the eve of Saturday’s face-to-face confrontation between the foresters and the townspeople, Dych commented ironically on the opponent’s approach: “Do you think Pep is weighing himself?”. Despite the jokes, the coach emphasized the seriousness of the players’ status.

According to Dyche, every player’s passport says professional footballer, and that word should be decisive. According to the expert, players of modern academies know very well how to eat and recover properly, so total control is not always effective.

“I’m not against them having a Christmas dinner, why not? Psychology is as important for athletes as anything else. Within reasonable limits, I want them to enjoy the holiday. It’s a big part of their lives,” said coach Forest.

The situation remains tense for Dyche’s team. After a narrow defeat against Fulham (0:1) on Monday, Nottingham Forest are only one position and five points above the relegation zone.

However, the coach is convinced that although he monitors the numbers and physical indicators, psychological relief during the holiday period can benefit the team more than a strict diet.