'I can never switch off,' claims Burnley boss Sean Dyche

The Burnley boss is a victim of the age old adage. He eats, sleeps and drinks football.

Dyche has immersed himself in the sport ever since signing on for Northamptonshire side Ise Lodge YFC as a seven-year-old.

And the cogs inside the ex-defender's meticulous mind have remained activated ever since.

"It's a natural part of the role for me, my staff and the players," said Dyche, who was educated by Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest.

"You're constantly thinking about what you do and how you can affect it.

"Sometimes you have spells where you know the players are in a good place, as are performances, so therefore you think about it slightly less.

"Sometimes that's not so and you're wondering about the tiny margins and who's playing, who's fit, and all the rest of it."

Since the late 1980s, when Dyche was at the City Ground as a youth team player, he has analysed and re-analysed every facet of the game.

From critiquing his own performances as a player, studying the opposition and researching strikers he would face, Dyche would rarely zone out.

It's no different in management, either. Game preparation is a constant, he takes a keen interest in the developmental side of the club, heads up contract negotiations and oversees everything else.

Taking a step back just isn't an option. "It never really goes," he said.

"The only time in my career where I've literally got away from it was in the original lockdown because it was like pressing the pause button.

"You couldn't buy and sell players, you couldn't do anything other than wait. That's the only spell in my life as a footballer when I've not been thinking one way or another about it.

"That's the only time in my career where I've literally switched off because I couldn't do anything.

"It is that level of detail, coupled with an unparalleled zest for the sport, that has helped the club sky-rocket, both on and off the pitch.

And the Clarets chief will continue to operate in the same manner at the Barnfield Training Centre alongside his squad in the hope of securing a future in the Premier League.

Dyche said: "Lingering trouble is around the corner in every Premier League season.

"Statistically, it suggests, that once you get north of 38 you're going to be in good shape, but it doesn't guarantee anything.

"I'm just a great believer that you don't take your foot off the pedal regardless.

"Our job is to play as hard as we can throughout the season, we did that last season and finished 10th against all the odds.

"The mindset was right. We just try to keep that relentless attitude throughout the season, that's our way of working."