Federline, 30, the dancer and wannabe rapper who married Spears in 2004, told People magazine in a rare interview he fought hard for custody of their two young sons.
But he said he was now rooting for Spears and left open the possibility of a reconciliation some time in the future.
"I'm one to never say never," he said, when asked about the chances of a reconciliation. "I mean, I'm not going to sit here and say I'm geared up to go that route, but who knows what the future holds for anybody."
Federline's interview in the Friday edition of People appeared as Spears marked her comeback after two years of personal woes, releasing a new album, announcing an international tour and celebrating her 27th birthday with a performance in New York.
Spears became a world-wide music phenomenon almost 10 years ago but her life slid out of control after she split with Federline in September 2006.
Federline said the marriage got more complicated after the birth of their first child, Sean Preston. He also has a young child with an ex-girlfriend.
"For me, I'd become more concerned with my children. Not that I ignored Britney, but my kids are always most important ... I mean, we were having complications. I didn't give her an ultimatum, but I was trying to work stuff out with her, and she didn't even talk to me or anything and went behind my back and filed. completely blindsided," he told People.
Federline rejected suggestions that he fought for custody of Sean Preston, 3 and Jayden James, 2 because of money. He was awarded sole custody earlier this year.
"My first question to was, 'Am I ever going to be able to see my children?' I told him that I would spend every last dime that I had to make sure that my children are okay. That's all that mattered. I didn't know how much power Britney had. That really scared me," he told the magazine.
Spears now has visiting rights three days a week.
"It's totally turning around...It doesn't have to be completely perfect, but the foundation is there," he said.
K-Fed and Britney Rework Their Time With the Kids
Jun 11, 2009 5:00 pm PDT
Now that she's a stable, hardworking Circus performer, Britney Spears will be seeing her kids...as much as always. Lawyers for the pop princess and ex-hubby Kevin Federline have reconfigured the details (i.e. time of day, which days) ...
K-Fed: I'd rather see my kids than Britney's money
Dec 3, 2008 8:00 am PST
Kevin Federline says money was no object in his custody battle with Britney Spears. Federline tells People magazine he vowed to "spend every last dime" to make sure that sons Sean Preston and Jayden James were OK. "Tha...
K-Fed attorney: Intense interest has its benefits
May 18, 2008 2:00 pm PDT
Kevin Federline's attorney can't complain about the intense interest in his client's child-custody battle with Britney Spears. He doesn't grumble about the television trucks and news reporters swarming the courthouse every time there's a ...
Britney Hit with K-Fed's Legal Fees
Mar 17, 2008 8:00 am PDT
Kevin Federline's attorney is the latest addition to the Britney Spears payroll. Court Commissioner Scott Gordon on Monday ordered the embattled pop star to give her ex $375,000 to cover his legal fees in their ongoing child custody d...
Court Orders Britney to Cut Dad a Check
Mar 6, 2008 9:00 am PST
Britney Spears' papa is on the payroll. According to documents from Wednesday's impromptu court hearing, Jamie Spears will now be paid a weekly compensation of $2,500 from his daughter's estate for acting as her conservator. H...