Paul Ince will be
confirmed as the new Blackburn boss within days to finally realise
his dream of managing in the Premier League.
The MK Dons chief is on the
verge of agreeing a three-year deal to succeed Mark Hughes at Ewood
Park. Rovers will give him as much cash as possible from the sales
of Roque Santa Cruz and David Bentley to help him keep competitive
the side left behind by Hughes.
Santa Cruz, rated at
£15million, is a target for Arsenal, Manchester United and
Manchester City. He scored 24 league goals last season.
Bentley, valued at £10m, is
also certain to depart having rejected a new contract. He interests
Spurs and Liverpool.
Ince landed the job in the
face of competition from ex-Bolton boss Sam Allardyce, interviewed
by Rovers yesterday.
Former Blackburn striker Alan
Shearer turned down a chance to go on the shortlist for the post
after being contacted by chairman John Williams.
Mk Dons refused a move for
Ince yesterday from Leicester owner Milan Mandaric, who made an
official approach last week.
But the Dons, who finished
the season as League Two champions, knew they would be powerless to
stop Ince from moving to a Premier League club.
Rovers hope to unveil the
former Manchester United and England midfielder by the middle of
next week, when he would become the first black manager in the
Premier League.
Ince came second to Shearer
in a poll asking Rovers fans for their thoughts on Hughes's
replacement, while Allardyce proved a massive turn-off.
Blackburn believe appointing
Ince, who won silverware at United, Liverpool and Inter Milan will
prove a decisive factor in luring players, just as it was with
Hughes.
A Dons statement yesterday
said the club "remains committed to keeping the hottest young
manager in English football", but privately the search for Ince's
successor has begun.