Blackburn ready to make Ince their Guv'nor as Dons prepare to name their price

They will fight for the right to appoint Ince, 40, as Mark Hughes’s successor because he does not hold the coaching qualifications required in the top flight.

Blackburn have also formally asked MK Dons for permission to speak to Ince, known as the Guv’nor, who was at Aberystwyth University yesterday observing an ‘A’ licence course being run by the FA of Wales.

Rover: Paul Ince is heading to Blackburn

Rovers are confident they can overcome his lack of coaching badges and do not expect the League Managers’ Association to object to the appointment. Chairman John Williams can point to the dispensation previously afforded Gareth Southgate at

Middlesbrough and Glenn Roeder at Newcastle, as well as Ince’s intention to pursue his Pro-licence as soon as possible.

Ince’s appointment would be seen as a major breakthrough after criticism in many quarters that young black managers have had little or no chance of breaking through to be in charge of a Premier League club.

Only two foreign black managers have been given jobs in the top flight — Ruud Gullit at Chelsea (1996-98) and Newcastle (1998-99) and Jean Tigana at Fulham (2000-2003), MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman last week rejected an approach from Leicester to speak to Ince, but the League Two champions are now seeking a replacement, such as Scunthorpe’s Nigel Adkins.

Williams has interviewed Sam Allardyce, Steve McClaren and Henk Ten Cate in the search to replace Hughes, who joined Manchester City two weeks ago.

Both former Bolton manager Allardyce, fired after six months by Newcastle, and McClaren, who failed to steer England to the Euro 2008 finals, have met with opposition from fans. There is even a petition against Allardyce.

Ten Cate’s experience and reputation demanded he be considered but complications with his last club Chelsea, who are still to settle his contract and insist he should not manage in England, could take time they do not have.

Ince would take his experienced No 2 Ray Mathias, the former Tranmere and Wigan manager, to Ewood Park. Their partnership landed the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Wembley last season as well as promotion to League One.

Ince started his managerial career by keeping seemingly doomed Macclesfield in the League last year. He won 53 caps and scored two goals for England between 1993-2000 while playing for Manchester United — who signed the Essex-born midfielder from West Ham at 21 — Inter Milan, Liverpool and Middlesbrough.