For the first time in a very, very long time EFL stalwart Jobi McAnuff has had the chance to take his foot off the gas at this time of the year following his retirement at the end of last season. But old habits die hard.
'As a professional footballer, I tended to give myself a couple of weeks and then get back into it, working out and making sure you're right for pre-season,' McAnuff began.
'I've got to be honest … I've kind of carried that on! I got a little bit of stick because I was on holiday and posted a little something on Instagram and I've got loads of mates of mine who were like 'listen, you've retired now, give it up, you don't need to keep going' and it's funny because that's the side of me that will never switch off.
Jobi McAnuff is enjoying his retirement as a Sky Sports pundit for their EFL coverage
McAnuff announced his retirement in May of this year after his eight-club professional career
'As much as it is physical exercise, I find mentally it really helps too. I was on holiday, but just to get myself off for an hour into a gym and do a bike or go for a run and just be able to focus on that thing for an hour, it's important for me and something I've managed to keep going.
'Though it's nice that I'm not having to push myself to the limit that maybe you have to do when you're a professional footballer.'
That little insight into life after football for McAnuff is an indication of the work ethic and dedication that were key factors in the longevity he enjoyed as a player.
When he called it a day six months short of his 40th birthday, former midfielder McAnuff had racked up an incredible 757 appearances in a career lasting 23 seasons.
McAnuff (middle) is set to be a mainstay of Sky Sports's EFL coverage for the coming season
The tireless McAnuff made over 30 appearances a season in 18 of those campaigns and spent 20 of them in the EFL.
With a family summer holiday in Majorca with his wife and two young boys, the Euros to watch and only a few months gone
