"I actually did discuss retiring with (wife) Victoria," the Real Madrid midfielder told the Sun newspaper.

"There were all sorts of things going on in my life at this time -- Romeo had just been born, my parents were divorcing, there was the relationship with the (Manchester United) manager (Alex Ferguson) and the kidnap threats (against Victoria).

"It was a serious thought of mine (retirement). I never told anyone else apart from Victoria and my agent Tony Stephens. I really seriously considered it.

"I wasn't happy going into work every day and I think that contributed to me thinking about that decision," said Beckham, who left United when he signed a four-year contract with Real Madrid last month.

"It wasn't just a bad day at work, it was quite a few weeks and months."

Beckham said his wife Victoria, a member of the now-defunct band the "Spice Girls" who enjoyed a string of hits in the 1990s, was shocked that he was contemplating retirement.

"It shocked her because she realised how serious I was about it. She realised there was a real problem there and that I really wasn't happy.

"I didn't want it to start affecting my family life and my children (sons Brooklyn, now aged four, and Romeo, who will celebrate his first birthday next month)."

Beckham, 28, said it was his wife who changed his mind about retiring.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY

"She was the one who changed my mind and turned it all around for me. She explained how important Manchester United was to me and how important football is to so many people.

"She said that I'd been given a great opportunity in life. It just turned me straight around. I just got on with things."

Beckham, whose new autobiography will be published next month, said he had shared mixed experiences with his former manager Ferguson.

"There have been tough times but there have been great times...I'll always thank Alex Ferguson for that.

"But I think when there were tough times, they were tough."

Beckham said one of the reasons Ferguson decided to let the midfielder leave United was that the manager could no longer control him.

"I think the fact I had been there since 15 and the manager had total control over all the young lads. The fact that I'd grown up and he didn't see me as a man instead of a boy, and still did do till the day I left.

"I just think he felt he didn't have any control of me any more and felt that was it. I think that was one of the reasons he did let me go," Beckham said.