Beckham: I'd love to help English football

The former midfielder says he would be proud to help out with the future of his nation's game and admits he has become a taxi service for his children

David Beckham says he would be "very proud" to help shape the future of English football if he could, but insists he has never thought about getting into coaching.

The former England captain and ex-Manchester United midfielder retired from football in 2013 but has decided not to take the step into management.

Instead, the 39-year-old says he has been reduced to being a taxi service for his children, driving his three sons to train at the Arsenal academy.

"It is one of the reasons I retired – I’m a cab driver," he told The Telegraph. "I literally am in the car from seven in the morning until nine at night. It is what I was looking forward to after retirement.”

"They all train every single day. They all play on Sundays. If someone had turned around and said, ‘what are you looking forward to after retirement?’ it was to take my kids to football. Every single training session. Watch them and be part of their lives.

"Not that I wasn’t before but, with my commitments, there were certain games that I missed or certain occasions that I missed. I hated that. I just want them involved in some kind of sport because it gives kids discipline.

"My kids train on different days, but I love seeing every day training sessions and watch them play on weekends. If you had turned to me 15 years ago and said I would have three boys at Arsenal I would have said, ‘Really?’ I have huge respect for Arsenal, for Arsène Wenger and I am proud to be down there."

The former Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, LA Galaxy and AC Milan player says he would love to be able to help out Roy Hodgson at the England team, but says he has no real interest in becoming a coach at the moment.

"I only retired just over a year ago and obviously I’ve been busy with stuff I’ve been doing but, if I can help in any way for the future of England and the future of English football, I will. That’s one of the things I’m very proud of.

"To actually come to the end of my career and be an ambassador for my country around the world. If there was any way in the future, when I’m not as busy, that I can help then I would be very proud of that.

"[Coaching] has never really crossed my mind. If I was to do it in the future, I would do it in the right way. Like Scholesy, Giggsy, Butty, Gary, Phil. That’s the way you have to do it. I have no plans to do it in the next 10 years.

"I miss Manchester United and Real Madrid and all the other teams but, playing for England, especially when the games come around, I miss more than anything."

Beckham was questioned on Manchester United's sale of Danny Welbeck to Arsenal for €20 million on transfer deadline day, and he believes the striker will be a big hit at the Emirates Stadium.

"In my mind he is a very young and exciting talent for England. I think that he is a great buy for Arsenal."