Sven Goran Eriksson, who has died aged 76, was calm, dignified and positive. But, behind the polite smile and owlish spectacles, he burned with competitive desire. No one could have worked in football as long as he did without that steely edge. Obituary by @DTAthletic.

Carlos Miguel was seven when intruders broke into his home. He & his brother managed to hide, but both his parents were killed. With the help of friends & one of the aunts who raised him, this is the story of #NFFC’s new goalkeeper. nytimes.com/athletic/57284…

Who’s going to show some love to Selhurst Park on its 100th anniversary? Special report – and special occasion – on one of English football’s least appreciated grounds. ⁦The Athletic | Football⁩ #CPFC nytimes.com/athletic/57240…

Selhurst Park is ramshackle, chaotic and crumbling. But in an age of identikit stadiums, it has a unique charm — not to mention a ghost, a drowned ten pin bowling alley, Ted Lasso, amazing jerk chicken and 100 years of defiant, noisy history. 📝 Daniel Taylor

Football left its mark on Sol Bamba, and he did the same. He was easy to love — a veritable diamond. Strong, brave and with that glorious smile. Phil Hay pays tribute to his friend after the former defender died at the age of 39.

Hakan Sukur’s name has been scrubbed from Turkish society. Edited out of films, removed from stadia, a TV commentator taken off air just for saying it. I interviewed HAKAN ŞÜKÜR 👑, with Enes Kanter FREEDOM, as he approaches a decade in exile in America. nytimes.com/athletic/57148…

Jack Grealish and Declan Rice's decision to represent England is still a sensitive subject in Ireland. As the countries prepare to meet this weekend, read the inside story of how the Republic missed out on two generational talents. 📝 Daniel Taylor and Gregg Evans

Exactly how I’d imagine a San Marino goal tbf

Very few people seem to be aware that a San Marino win means everyone gets the day off work

We've been searching for Kerlon for a very long time. After years of trying, @JackLang found him in North Carolina. In a rare interview, the former Brazil sensation tells his story — and shows us if he can still do his outrageous signature skill, the seal dribble... 🦭

Kiernan Hughes-Mason “destroyed” a two-year-old girl’s life and left her with “catastrophic injuries”. Yet he was employed as a player or manager by seven non-League clubs after police were first contacted. How could that happen? Adam Leventhal

The strange case of Odysseas Vlachodimos – the £20m goalkeeper Newcastle needed but didn’t want. W/ ⁦Chris Waugh⁩ #NUFC nytimes.com/athletic/57621…

Odysseas Vlachodimos is Newcastle United's most expensive No 1 ever, at a reported £20m. Except he's not their No 1. He's fourth choice, if that. So what is going on? Chris Waugh and George Caulkin tell the inside story of the summer's strangest transfer.