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While Dyche's stats showed he was essentially fulfilling the brief, his style and methods had already raised the question about how sustainable his reign would be.
Dyche's argument is he had to play with what he had and, up until last month, he was still getting results, but more would have been expected with a squad including Murillo, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
There was internal frustration at Forest over Postecoglou's inability, despite encouragement, to build a bond with the fans and the club, but Dyche struck the right tone immediately.
A product of the club's youth system, Dyche tapped into memories of Brian Clough and his dog Del-Boy, and of running by the river Trent, but it only appeased fans - and players - for so long.
He was credited with initially raising the mood after Postcoglou's brief reign as Forest looked to rediscover their unity.
Yet sources suggest he struggled to bond with some of the players and they questioned his methods and tactics, as he focused on the physicality of the squad.
Players' opinions were also canvassed in the aftermath of the Leeds game and they did not give Dyche their full backing.
By then Forest had already started to consider their options with Vitor Pereira - the leading candidate to become the new manager - already on the radar before the loss at Elland Road. Talks continued this week, allowing Forest to axe Dyche in the early hours of Thursday morning.
It was a decision made with reluctance, but Dyche's appointment was out of necessity in the first place after the self-inflicted wounds of Nuno Espirito Santo's exit and Postecoglou's appointment.
Dyche's dismissal may have been unavoidable but Marinakis' judgment and temperament will be called into question as he fights to get it right this time.
