United Kingdom, Nov. 26 -- Sir David Beckham has a "softer" parenting style than his own dad.

The 50-year-old retired footballer - who has sons Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20 and 14-year-old daughter Harper with his wife Lady Victoria - has opened up about his approach to fatherhood, and how he learned from his own parents Ted and Sandra.

He told James Corden's This Life of Mine podcast: "I am different with my kids - I'm a lot softer than my dad was.

"But there's certain traits that I do have the same as my dad."

The Manchester United legend revealed he has his own technique for showing his true feelings.

That includes when his sons - who all spent time playing football at the Arsenal Academy - have been out on the pitch.

He add...