'Footballs in the coconut' - Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder admits he struggles to switch off over the summer

That isn't a new phenomenon, though; a by-product of the pressures of managing his boyhood club Sheffield United in the biggest league in the world.

It has, by Wilder's own admission, been difficult to switch off for the last 20 years, ever since he made the transition from playing to management and never really looked back.

At the weekend, he took the latest step on a remarkable managerial career when he led United to ninth in the Premier League, the highest finish by any Blades side since the mid-1970s - a side he grew up watching, containing the likes of Tony Currie, Len Badger and Ted Hemsley.

Now, Wilder's class of 2020 are heroes to a new generation of young Blades. But the manager is not in the mood to rest on his laurels and switch off his phone until the first day of pre-season, ahead of the start of the new campaign in mid-August.

"It's been difficult for the last 20 years," Wilder admitted, when asked about the off-season pressures of management.

"I don't think anything has changed from when I started this job. it's always with you.

“I'll take a little break but there are always things happening and you can't get away from it.

“It doesn't really leave you at any moment. Some people handle it differently and turn the phone off for a week.

I try to do that a little bit - in fact, I get told to turn my phone off! - but it's still with me right the way through.

“I definitely need a little bit of a break and a couple of beers but it's in you to go again.

"It's the relentless nature of the job, and the attitude that has to come with it."

Wilder revealed that United's pre-season plans have been finalised, and will be confirmed in due course.