Blackburn will formally unveil Paul Ince as their new coach on Tuesday after the former England captain 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 at stadium:mk.

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 on the club's website read: "We are aware that a number of clubs would be alerted to Paul's considerable talents and that retaining his services might prove an impossible challenge.

"After what Paul achieved in his time at the club, we cannot deny Paul the deserved opportunity to work in the greatest league in the world and we know that everybody in Milton Keynes will join us in wishing him every continued success in what is certain to be a fantastic managerial career."

Former Blackburn and Scotland striker Kevin Gallacher believes Ince has the "hunger and desire" to succeed at Ewood Park.

But Gallacher feels it is important the new boss keeps key players at the club.

"Paul has got the hunger and desire in his belly to be a good manager," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"He showed that at Macclesfield by how he managed to keep them up, and he brought a couple of trophies to MK Dons.

"So it's a good achievement at a low level and hopefully he can bring some of that luck with him to Blackburn."

Gallacher added: "If Paul can keep the ship floating, keep the good players at the club, continue with the good work Mark has done and add his little bit in, Blackburn can only get stronger."

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