Blackburn chairman John Williams believes Paul Ince has the quality to take the club forward.

Ince will be unveiled to the media on Tuesday after replacing Mark Hughes at Ewood Park.

The former England midfielder arrives from MK Dons, the club he led to promotion from League Two last season.

Ince also saved Macclesfield from anticipated relegation from the bottom tier when he took over.

And Williams is convinced the right man is in place after handing him a three-year contract, even though Ince does not have the UEFA Pro Licence.

"We took our time finding a new manager, and I'd like to think we've been as thorough as possible," he told the Lancashire Telegraph.

"We had some very impressive candidates on our list. But Paul Ince has come out on top and I think he will prove to be an outstanding manager.

"I'm very excited by the appointment and, judging by his reaction, I think Paul is very excited too. He's really up for it and very hungry."

The LMA are giving Ince their full backing as the Barclays Premier League have allowed him a two-year window to gain the qualification needed to coach in the top flight.

In a statement, the manager's union said: "The requirement for mandatory qualifications for managers to manage in the Barclays Premier League is a rule established by the Premier League and UEFA.

"Where exemptions to this rule are made by the Premier League, the LMA has a duty to support the manager.

"Further, the LMA will work closely with the PFA, the Premier League and The FA to offer all possible support and assistance to its member, in helping him to gain any qualifications that may be necessary."

Former Blackburn and Scotland striker Kevin Gallacher believes Ince has the "hunger and desire" to suceed 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."

Ince's appointment makes him the first black British manager in the 16-year history of the Premier League.

And his move to Blackburn was welcomed by Piara Power, director of anti-racism organisation Kick It Out.

He said: "This is a refreshing appointment.

"Although Paul Ince has been given the job solely on the basis of what he can bring to Blackburn Rovers, we hope he can be an inspiration to the many other black players leaving the game and a signal to chairman across the leagues that they too should be looking at black coaching talent.

"The current situation with just two black coaches at 92 clubs set against a third of the playing work force from a black Caribbean or African background shames the game.

"Many of our top clubs are now beginning to understand how and why they should be broadening their appeal to new fan bases, why they need to have greater diversity within their staffing structures.

"The importance of a black face at the top is that it is a powerful signal of what is possible."

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