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Rovers warned not to cross Ince

Sun 22 Jun, 02:45 PM


Blackburn have been warned to expect Paul Ince to adopt a no-nonsene approach to management if, as expected, he is named as Rovers' new boss.Ince, who is expected to be installed as successor to Mark Hughes this week, is another graduate of the Sir Alex Ferguson school of management, just like his predecessor in the Ewood Park hotseat.

And although Ince has since tried to stamp his own authority on the job during a brief, but highly impressive, apprenticeship in the lower leagues, it would appear he also shares some of the traits that enabled his old mentor, Fergie, to build such an enviable dynasty at Old Trafford.

Kevin Gallen, who has played under Ince at MK Dons, insists the 40-year-old is not afraid to administer the occasional rollocking if he feels his teams are not performing to his own exacting standards.

"I've worked with a lot of managers during my career, but I have to say I've been impressed with Paul," Gallen told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

"The biggest thing is he has the respect of the players for what he achieved in his own playing career.

"He had a reputation as a leader and a hardman on the pitch, but he's not a ranter and raver in the dressing room.

"Having said that, he can get a stern message across when he wants to and everyone listens to him.

"The other thing is he always demands 100 per cent from his players in training - he expects the same as he does on a Saturday, and that's total commitment.

"If he doesn't get it, that's when you see him get angry. A fair few of the players have had some rollockings from him - he's not afraid to dish them out.

"I'm sure it'll be the same if and when he becomes a Premier League manager."

Ince's first managerial job was to save Macclesfield Town from relegation to the Nationwide Conference - a feat he achieved on the final day of the season.

Then came a move to MK Dons, who he guided to promotion from League Two, and success in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, in his first season.

Now the Premier League is beckoning for Ince, and Gallen believes he has all the right credentials to be a success in English football's top division.

"He won the only two trophies he could realistically win last season so he must have done something right," Gallen added.

"And he did it by hardly spending any money, unlike other clubs in that division such as Peterborough.

"Paul is definitely a manager who likes to see the game played in the right way. Our training sessions with the Dons involved a lot of ball-work - that's not the case at all clubs.

"But it's great for the players, and he's also great for team spirit. If he organises a night-out and you turn up late or don't show up, then you'll be in trouble.

"He's a very confident individual - he's said before he wants to manage some of the clubs he played for, and that means going to the very top. You wouldn't bet against him doing that, he's certainly made a great start.

"Incey has also worked for some top managers, including the very best, Alex Ferguson, and he's taken something from each of them."

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  1. Very happy and glad to hear Blackburn decision !.Well done Blackburn.:D in the spirit of yr late owner. Guv'ner is really and deffinettely the best appointment being made As for Ince he was great footballer in the uk .His only problem comming to Inter is that he thought he was offensive midfilder and they played him deffensively so he floped and was unhappy there.Apart from that boy has done rather well and all the best to Ince:D

    From wayup108, on Mon 23 Jun 8:11AM
  2. Ince was a great player and he has done a lot for the Dons this season past but I am a little disappointed being an MK Dons fan that he has decided to leave. Why not wait until next season and move on, you have just got the Dons up to League 1 with the chairman and fans that were right behind you.

    In my opinion it would be a mistake going to Blackburn but good luck to him. The reason I think it is a mistake is I think it is too soon to jump ship experience wise.
    I think the next manager for the Dons should be a fellow Scot Paul Lambert who did well with Wycombe last year and is another up and coming manager with great experience as a player.

    From arabmark07, on Sun 22 Jun 3:15PM
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