Pro Licence is part of Ince contract

Ince was named as Mark Hughes' successor on Sunday despite not possessing the required coaching qualifications to take over at a top flight club, and Williams, who secured the kind of dispensation that has previously been awarded to Gareth Southgate, Avram Grant and Glenn Roeder, admitted Ince was formally bound to completing his training in the agreed period.

He said: "Paul has signed a contract with Blackburn where that undertaking is a contractual term. It's not something we'll just try and get done. He's under contract to Blackburn that he will complete that timeframe and we in turn have given that to the Premier League."

He added: "On behalf of the Premier League I would say that they rightly made us work very hard to get Paul and we had to give certain undertakings because quite clearly Paul didn't meet the requirements of the rule.

"It was a bit like that film, Groundhog Day. You'd wake up thinking Paul was a candidate and you go to bed thinking he's not.

"He couldn't finally be a candidate until dispensation was given.

"The case was made that Paul had served his apprenticeship in the lower leagues and had been busy with that since he stopped playing and we gave the undertaking that Paul will (get the licence)."

Asked if he had considered whether he might go on to become the first black England manager, Ince replied: "Not really. I am happy to be a role model. I am proud of where I come from, proud of my roots. I am proud to be at Blackburn and I don't know where it will take me. Only time will tell.

"The feedback I have had from fans has been very encouraging and I am looking forward to meeting the players. I played with Brad Friedel at Liverpool. He's exceptional keeper and someone I can speak to who can tell me things about the club.

"I am not scared of many things and there is no fear factor coming to Blackburn. It is exciting coming here."