Paul Ince makes history by becoming Blackburn Rovers manager

Blackleaf

Former Manchester United and England star Paul Ince has been appointed as the new manager of Blackburn Rovers.

He makes history by becoming the Premiership's first black English manager.

Ince was manager of Milton Keynes Dons (the team who used to be Wimbledon) last season. They were promoted to the League One after finishing top of League Two.

Blackburn appoint Ince as manager

Ince's appointment is a landmark for the Premier League

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.

Paul Ince has just given MK Dons (the team who used to be Wimbledon) their most successful season since their formation in 2004, beating Grimsby Town in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final (above), and winning promotion to League One.

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.

Watch new Blackburn boss Paul Ince in action for England at Euro 96
But in the past in England, special dispensations have been given to the likes of Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate, former Chelsea manager Avram Grant and ex-Southampton boss Steve Wigley.

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.

Ince is the latest former Manchester United star who played under Sir Alex Ferguson to manage in the Premier League.

Hughes is now at Manchester City, Steve Bruce at Wigan, while Roy Keane is Sunderland's boss.

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