David Beckham: 5 Career Options for LA Galaxy Star When He Hangs Up His Boots

Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

David Beckham's 20-year football career has been punctuated by remarkable comebacks and a staunch resilience that demonstrates you can never count the former Man United and Real Madrid man out.

But time is the enemy of all athletes, and even Becks can't keep playing forever.

Despite being handed a coaching role in England's World Cup 2010 set-up—after injury ruled him out of the squad—Beckham has been clear that professional football management is not in his future.

And he hardly seems likely to follow his old friend Gary Neville into punditry.

So with the two most obvious career options for ex-footballers seemingly out of the question, what should David Beckham do once he finally hangs up his boots?

Galaxy Owner

Beckham Meets Abramovich
Michael Regan/Getty Images

Could Beckham be the next Roman Abramovich?

Well, not really. Even his gargantuan image rights don't exactly stack up against the resource riches of Russia, and the MLS is not quite the English Premier League.

But there is clearly an attraction.

It is well documented that Beckham's contract agreement with LA Galaxy owners AEG includes an option to buy an MLS franchise upon retirement.

With AEG itself now up for sale, it opens up the possibility he could, in fact, buy the Galaxy, saving himself and Victoria from being associated with less glamourous teams.

New York Cosmos

Eric Cantona of the NY Cosmos
Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

But then why settle for LA when the clothes-conscious couple could potentially move to the fashion capital of America?

Beckham has an intriguing connection with the New York Cosmos, the fabled NASL team recently resurrected with the help of Eric Cantona, Pelé and Terry Byrne—Beckham's close friend, advisor and confidant .

The MLS has confirmed that the league's 20th team will be in New York; in order to establish a rivalry with the New Jersey-based Red Bulls and tap into the lucrative urban market.

With Beckham joining the setup, the Cosmos could ensure they are that team.

Luxury Brand King

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

While still a player, Beckham's forays into the fashion world have trodden predictable paths—athletic wear and underwear.

But as he matures into the suave elder statesman, expect more emphasis on fine tailoring and luxury goods.

Celebrity Chef

www.facebook.com/Beckham

David Beckham likes to cook.

David Beckham is highly photogenic.

Anyone who remembers him preparing dinner for an embarrassed Gary Neville in the 2000 documentary—The Real David Beckham—could easily see he's a cooking show natural.

Look out, Jamie Oliver!

International Peace Negotiator

Michael Regan/Getty Images

In the prologue to his excellent book, Africa United, Steve Bloomfield recounts how he narrowly escaped a perilous run-in in civil war-torn Sudan by invoking the name of David Beckham.

Imagine what the man himself could do.

Already accustomed to the ambassadorial role with his work for London 2012, UNICEF and—if less successfully—England's World Cup 2018 campaign, Beckham could be dispatched around the globe to ease peace negotiations.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.