http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/7457696.stm

Blackburn Rovers have appointed MK Dons boss Paul Ince as their new manager.

The 40-year-old Ince, who has been given a three-year contract, was Rovers' number one target following Mark Hughes's exit to Manchester City.

In his first season with the Dons, Ince led them to the League Two title as well as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

His appointment marks an historic moment for the Premier League as he is the first English black manager to take charge of a top-flight club.

Frenchman Jean Tigana with Fulham and Ruud Gullit with Chelsea and Newcastle are the only other two black managers to have managed in the Premier League.

Ince will be officially presented as Blackburn's manager on Tuesday.

Last week the Premier League gave Rovers dispensation over Ince's failure to hold a Uefa Pro Licence.

The former West Ham, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool and England midfielder will be allowed two years to earn his licence.

In order to be a football manager in the top divisions of countries like Spain, Italy, Germany and France, coaches must have the Uefa Pro Licence qualification.

The licence requires 240 hours of study and usually takes a year to gain.

But in the past in England, special dispensations have been given to the likes of Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate and former Chelsea manager Avram Grant.

The League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan had insisted he would not lobby against Ince's appointment.

Former England manager Steve McClaren, ex-Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce and former Getafe coach Michael Laudrup had all been linked with the Rovers post.

Ince moved to the Dons in June 2007 after keeping Macclesfield in the Football League.

His managerial achievements attracted the interest of Leicester City, who made an official approach to Milton Keynes for Ince's services earlier this month.

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Good luck to him, not sure if I see this as a step in the right direction, we'll see how good his signings are and who he can keep hold of.

Credit to Blackburn for going for a young English manager hungry to prove his worth , but i have to say its a hell of a risk.

Looks like Blackburn are going to lose Bentley and Santa Cruz, i suspect their now season will depend on how Ince spends the money he will get from those sales.

If they have a slow start, they could be in for a tough season i reckon.

Hell of a gamble on BlackBurn's part, especially as you mention with two of their top playes making noise about leaving already!

Fair play to them. Always had a soft spot for Blackburn while Sparky was there, and the fact one of my mates is a huge BB fan. Never really liked Ince, but will be interested to see what he can manage! best of luck

Hell of a gamble on BlackBurn's part, especially as you mention with two of their top playes making noise about leaving already!

Fair play to them. Always had a soft spot for Blackburn while Sparky was there, and the fact one of my mates is a huge BB fan. Never really liked Ince, but will be interested to see what he can manage! best of luck

I hate Ince almost as much as I hate Rottenham . Vile creature he is complete and utter w**ker of the highest order . Hope he is out of a job in October

I hate Ince almost as much as I hate Rottenham . Vile creature he is complete and utter w**ker of the highest order . Hope he is out of a job in October

Tea Bar I have met him and had the misfortune to spend a few hours in his company, with his wife, kids and a bunch of other footballers. He is conceited, arrogant, rude and an unpleasant character.

I just wish this was not being turned into a 'black thing'...if you see what I mean.

i think ince has started to run before he can walk properly with going to blackburn

but if he is given a proper length of time will do a fine job, i dont think blackburn will be top 6 or 7 material for a few seasons under ince's wing, but in the future they will be hitting the eufa cup spots

I just wish this was not being turned into a 'black thing'...if you see what I mean.

I do JB, but in my opinion it was always going to be.

Tea Bar I have met him and had the misfortune to spend a few hours in his company, with his wife, kids and a bunch of other footballers. He is conceited, arrogant, rude and an unpleasant character.

Regrettably Lauren my view is based on similar experiences as yourself not just his football wind up skills

Most footballers have the social skills of a wombat but he was a cut above. Can tell you a really nasty story about him in a hotel bar after he joined Liverpool even though it is true would have to add lots of allegedly or else Loz will be in trouble.

You can bet anything you like if he does/when he gets sacked he will play the race card as part of the reason .

Edited June 23, 200818 yr by Tea Bar Boy

Self proclaimed Guv'nor (he gave himself the nickname) who had to ask his wife about the move to Italy and his recent appointment at Blackburn, he's not even the Guv'nor in his own household!!!!!

I'd wish blackburn good luck for appointing a young British manager - but don't really wish Ince that well as I've never really liked him as a player, and from what I've read he sounds like a right c**t in real life too.

hes a c**t and i hope he fails. that is all.

yeah, called himself the guvnor, asked ferguson to call him it too. Was promptly traded

yeah, called himself the guvnor, asked ferguson to call him it too. Was promptly traded

That would look great on a Tombstone.

Not that I want him dead or anything...just think it would be a good'un. :blink:

Regrettably Lauren my view is based on similar experiences as yourself not just his football wind up skills

Most footballers have the social skills of a wombat but he was a cut above. Can tell you a really nasty story about him in a hotel bar after he joined Liverpool even though it is true would have to add lots of allegedly or else Loz will be in trouble.

You can bet anything you like if he does/when he gets sacked he will play the race card as part of the reason .

There's a story in Soxy's autobiography about how Ince was dishing out homophobic abuse to him, so Le Saux got him back by making a comment about Ince's wife. Ince went mad and at the end of the game tried to punch Le Saux. Another who can dish it out but not take it.

There's a story in Soxy's autobiography about how Ince was dishing out homophobic abuse to him, so Le Saux got him back by making a comment about Ince's wife. Ince went mad and at the end of the game tried to punch Le Saux. Another who can dish it out but not take it.

to be honest his wife is no oil painting!

There's a story in Soxy's autobiography about how Ince was dishing out homophobic abuse to him, so Le Saux got him back by making a comment about Ince's wife. Ince went mad and at the end of the game tried to punch Le Saux. Another who can dish it out but not take it.

Ghosts of girlfriends past used to be Front of House manager at the Liverpool Moat House and one of her best mates is Robbie Folwer . The Liverpool players used to park in the hotel car park before each game and she would provide them a private room before/after games for the players / family friends etc to use for drinks out of the public eye. All worked well for all concerned as the players could have a few drinks without being bothered by anyone . Allegedly one of the members of staff’s children was a massive Paul Ince fan so she approached my girlfriend to ask if it was okay for her to go into the room and ask for an autograph. My girlfriend got consent from Robbie that this was okay as only a few staff members were allowed to enter the room . Allegedly the member of staff approached Mr.Ince to request an autograph to have a mouth full of beer spat over her and told to f*uk off.

to be honest his wife is no oil painting!

She is if you use crude oil.