"If someone would have told me that I would have lost my mum and dad in such a short period of time, and then I had a few health issues myself, and then of course you lose your job. You think, you know, I should have spent more time up in Newcastle, and I should have demanded more time off, and I didn't. But it puts it into perspective a little bit. Sometimes other things are more important." Recently-appointed Sheffield Wednesday boss Steve Bruce opens up to BBC Sport about the tragedies in his personal life while managing Aston Villa

"Of course I am tired, but I think the two games were very important. With six points I think we had a great week. I think we deserved it as well." Son Heung-min reflects on a congested yet successful week of fixtures for Tottenham

"To have a night like that, with my family there, in my hometown, it really makes you realise how much effort, sacrifice and hard work it takes to get to become a professional. I’m here because of them - I know that." Steven Bergwijn takes time in The Players' Tribune to appreciate the people that made his dream debut at PSV Eindhoven possible

"Whether it is back home with my daughter’s team or with United, I just love working with footballers who want to improve." Ole Gunnar Solskjaer details to Sky Sports his passion for teaching the beautiful game

“He didn’t talk to me about it - I still haven’t spoken to him since. Our relationship was good. I wouldn’t say we were best mates, it was just a normal professional relationship.” After his memorable goal in last year's Champions League final, Gareth Bale tells FourFourTwo about his experiences with former manager Zinedine Zidane

"If I'm being honest, I know quality-wise, I can still play in the Premier League. I know that. I've always been a confident person, and so I have high expectations of myself. And yeah, I've come here expecting to do well. And I think there was a surprise from people who have their opinions, which is fair enough, but I never doubted myself at all." Approaching his first full season with MLS outfit D.C. United, Wayne Rooney tells CNN Sport he remains confident in his ability to compete at the highest level

“I would say he’s the best number nine at this moment in time. I just think he stands out. He’s got everything. He scores goals with his left foot, right foot, headers, penalties, free-kicks. His first touch is immense. He can hold people off because he’s so strong. He’s got everything you could want for a number nine so for me he’s the best in the world.” Robbie Keane offers high praise for Spurs striker Harry Kane

“I’ll never forget this manager. The year you break through in professional football, you need trust. In his first talk with me he said if managers didn’t give chances to youth‑teamers, there’d never be any footballers. You have to break through somewhere.” From The Guardian's feature on Jack Harper, a Malaga-born Scottish international realising his dreams of playing at La Rosaleda, handed a chance by coach Juan Muniz

“Writing is a great pleasure for me, even as a teenager I started to write a book. And believe it or not, the plot was pretty much the same as 'The Hunger Games'. I was sitting in the cinema and thought: 'It does not exist, that's my idea, which I had years ago.' The creators must have stolen my computer.” Bayern Munich star Javi Martinez is more than just a fan of author Suzanne Collins' hit series

"It's something that I try not to pay too much attention to. It's something that is secondary when it's compared to me helping the team. I physically feel good and it's good to focus, working hard and learning the tactics. It's down to the manager whether I will be ready, but certainly I feel ready and I'm keen to take part." Miguel Almiron isn't feeling the pressure as Newcastle United's record-breaking transfer from Atlanta United