FORMER Middlesbrough and England manager Steve McClaren hailed David Beckham as a great of the modern game after the former national team captain announced his retirement.

Beckham, who was instantly dropped when McClaren inherited the England job from Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2006, is to quit the game at the end of the season.

He bows out as a Ligue 1 winner with Paris St Germain, with the 38-year-old deciding the time is right to step away from his illustrious playing career.

Beckham eventually won over McClaren in their England days, earning a recall.

And McClaren said today: "He was a great player.

"He made the very most of his talents through sheer hard work and professionalism and always doing extra work on the training field.

"He inspired his team-mates through his performances.

"He was a winner, he's won so many things in his career, and that was infectious on his team-mates.

"And he was an inspiring personality to young players with his behaviour and professionalism on and off the field.

"But ultimately he was a leader and people followed him.

"The young players followed him in how he played and in his personality, and even off the field the young players of today are following him through his fashion."

McClaren told Sky Sports News: "By the end of his career he was a fantastic ambassador, not only for football around the world but for our country as well in helping bring major events to this country."

Beckham had a role in bringing the Olympic Games to London, but it will be his footballing feats for Manchester United, Real Madrid, PSG, LA Galaxy and AC Milan for which he will be remembered.

"He has been very special in that right midfield position," McClaren said.

"He was an unbelievable passer, crosser of the ball, and he could score goals as well.

"My lasting memory of David Beckham is him continuously being the last off the training pitch and always practising those trademark free-kicks."

Beckham won 115 caps for England, more than any other outfield player.

But on the big stage, England repeatedly struggled to achieve, falling in quarter-finals at World Cups in 2002 and 2006 and Euro 2004.

Because he was a big part of that, he was very frustrated by that, said McClaren.

Beckham said of his decision: "If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over one hundred times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy. I'm fortunate to have realised those dreams.

"To this day, one of my proudest achievements is captaining my country.

"I knew every time I wore the Three Lions shirt, I was not only following in a long line of great players, I was also representing every fan that cared passionately about their country. Im honoured to represent England both on and off the pitch."