Ince's appointment is a landmark for the Premier League

Paul Ince has become the first black English manager in the Premier League after he was appointed Blackburn boss.

Ince, who has been given a three-year deal, was Rovers' number one target after Mark Hughes left Ewood Park.

In his first season with MK Dons, Ince, 40, got them to the League Two title and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Frenchman Jean Tigana with Fulham and Ruud Gullit with Chelsea and Newcastle are the only other two black managers to have managed in the Premier League.

Ince will be officially presented as Blackburn's manager on Tuesday.

606: DEBATE Is Ince the right appointment for Blackburn?

The former West Ham, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool and England midfielder will be allowed two years to earn his licence.

In order to be a football manager in the top divisions of Spain, Italy, Germany and France, coaches must have the Uefa Pro Licence qualification.

The licence requires 240 hours of study and usually takes a year to gain.

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Watch new Blackburn boss Paul Ince in action for England at Euro 96

The League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan had insisted he would not lobby against Ince's appointment.

Former England manager Steve McClaren, ex-Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce and former Getafe coach Michael Laudrup had all been linked with the Rovers post.

PAUL INCE FACTFILE 1967: Born Ilford, October 21 1985: Joins West Ham as trainee 1989: After 93 appearances joins Man Utd for £1m 1993: Becomes first black player to captain England 1995: Joins Inter in £7m deal 1997: Joins Liverpool for £4.2m 1998: Plays in World Cup finals 1999: Leaves Liverpool for Boro for £1m 2002: Joins Wolves 2006: Takes first managerial role at Macclesfield 2007: Appointed MK Dons manager 2008: Leads MK Dons to League Two title and Johnstone's Paint Trophy 2008: June 22 - Appointed Blackburn boss on three-year contract

His managerial achievements attracted the interest of Leicester City, who made an official approach to Milton Keynes for Ince's services earlier this month.

Ince is the latest former Manchester United star who played under Sir Alex Ferguson to manage in the Premier League.

Hughes is now at Manchester City, Steve Bruce at Wigan, while Roy Keane is Sunderland's boss.

Former Blackburn striker Kevin Gallacher told BBC Radio Lancashire that Rovers targeted Ince because "they were looking for someone young, hungry, enthusiastic and with a big pull.

"Paul knew that he wanted to come, he's got the hunger and desire in his belly to be a good manager.

"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 conceded that Hughes would be "a hard act to follow" at Ewood Park.

But he 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."