Guv'nor Ince takes Blackburn helm

Blackburn will formally unveil Paul Ince as their new coach tomorrow after the former England captain and Wolves star agreed a three-year contract which will make him the first black British manager in top-flight history.

It is the second time in 15 years Ince has etched his name into the history books after becoming the first black player to captain England in a friendly against the USA in 1993.

The 40-year-old coach succeeds Mark Hughes at Ewood Park after a two-and-half-week search by Rovers, during which time they are believed to have looked at the likes of Steve McClaren, now with FC Twente, Sam Allardyce, Michael Laudrup and recently dismissed Chelsea assistant Henk ten Cate, who has since taken the reins at Panathinaikos.

But the highly-rated Ince, who impressed in his first managerial role at Macclesfield before winning the League Two title and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with MK Dons last season, had been heavily tipped as Rovers' first choice.And having received both the blessing of Dons chairman Pete Winkelman and clearance from the Premier League to take the helm without the requisite UEFA Pro Licence, he will now get the chance to deliver on his long-stated ambition of coaching at the highest level.

Despite such lofty goals - Ince has also claimed he would like to return to former club Inter Milan as manager one day - his first appointment came at the most low-key of destinations.

Macclesfield were seven points adrift at the bottom of League Two when he accepted the task of keeping them in the Football League - a goal he achieved on the final day of the 2006/07 season.

It was during his spell at Moss Rose that he won his first manager of the month award, a feat he repeated on three occasions with the Dons.

The former Manchester United and Liverpool star appeared to be destined for greater things and Derby chairman Adam Pearson openly coveted his services after Billy Davies' departure from Pride Park mid-way through last season.

His name was also linked with the Wigan post vacated by Chris Hutchings' exit, while more recently Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric was rebuffed in his efforts to appoint the self-styled 'guv'nor'.

His former employers, meanwhile, saluted Ince's efforts in Milton Keynes and backed him to make a success of his new post.

A statement read: "After what Paul achieved at the club, we cannot deny him the chance to work in the greatest league in the world. We wish him every continued success in what is certain to be a fantastic managerial career."