Paul Ince has agreed a three-year deal to succeed Mark Hughes as Blackburn manager.

Former England captain Ince, 40, enjoyed a fine season in charge of MK Dons last season, leading them to the Coca-Cola League Two title and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and has been heavily linked with a move to Ewood Park in recent days.

Ince, who enjoyed an illustrious playing career with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Inter Milan, previously coached Macclesfield, who he saved from relegation from the Football League in 2006-07 but this will be his first management job in the top flight.

Ince's appointment makes him the first black Briton to take charge of a top-flight club in England.

Despite taking a slightly unconventional route into coaching - most players of Ince's pedigree and stature are usually offered a more glamorous job when their playing days are over - he has been a consistently impressive performer in the lower leagues and has attracted plenty of envious glances.

He earned his first manager of the month accolade while with the Silkmen, who were adrift at the bottom of League Two when he arrived only to survive the drop on the last day of the season, before taking the title on three occasions during his stint at stadium:mk.

Derby chairman Adam Pearson appeared to covet the former midfielder's services when Billy Davies left the club last term, while Wigan were also thought to be interested before appointing Steve Bruce.

He was also firmly in the frame for the Leicester job following Ian Holloway's departure but last week moved to distance himself from that job, perhaps mindful of Rovers' interest.

PAUL INCE FACTFILE

1967: Born in Ilford, October 21.

1985: Joins West Ham as trainee.

1989: After 93 appearances and 12 goals for West Ham, joins Manchester United in a deal worth £1million plus pay-as-you-play payments.

1990: Wins FA Cup winners' medal as United beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in a Wembley replay. United share Charity Shield after 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

1991: Member of successful European Cup Winners' Cup team who beat Barcelona 2-1 in Rotterdam and European Super Cup side who defeat Red Star Belgrade 1-0.

1992: Picks up League Cup winners' medal after United beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 at Wembley. Makes full England debut on September 9 in 1-0 defeat by Spain in Santander.

1993: Picks up first of two Premier League winners medals. Becomes first black player to captain England, on the tour of the United States.

1994: Member of United's Premier League and FA Cup-winning side. Double completed with 4-0 final victory over Chelsea.

1995: Charged with common assault on Crystal Palace fan after fracas during Premier League game at Selhurst Park on January 25.

Joins Inter Milan in £7million deal - a record fee received for United - and quickly becomes a big hit with the Inter fans.

1997: Liverpool head off interest from Premier League rivals to secure Ince's return to England in a £4.2million deal.

Captains England - and plays on with head wound - as they qualify for the World Cup finals thanks to a goalless draw against Italy in Rome.

1998: Plays with broken toe as England bow out of World Cup against Argentina at the second-round stage in France.

Clashes with England team-mate Graeme Le Saux in the Anfield tunnel following Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

Banned for three matches by UEFA for red card in England's opening European Championship qualifier in Sweden and for remarks made to Italian referee Pierluigi Collina.

October - Charged with misconduct by the Football Association on his 31st birthday for V-sign during same match.

November - Sent off during injury-time in Liverpool's UEFA Cup second-leg match in Valencia after getting involved in a scuffle which also saw the dismissal of team-mate Steve McManaman and opponent Amedeo Carboni.

1999: Fails to win England recall under new national coach Kevin Keegan.

June - Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier announces Ince is surplus to requirements at Anfield and will be allowed to leave.

July - Joins Middlesbrough for £1million.

August - Ordered to appear before the FA after making critical comments about Houllier and assistant Phil Thompson in a newspaper article.

October - After being overlooked for five games, wins England recall for friendly against Belgium.

November - Plays in both legs of Euro 2000 play-off victory over Scotland.

2000: Named in Keegan's squad for Euro 2000.

September - Appears before FA after being accused of aiming abusive and insulting language at one of the referee's during a Premier League game at Derby.

2001: October - Loses appeal against sending-off for a push on Sunderland's Niall Quinn.

2002: August 6 - Joins First Division Wolves after being released by Middlesbrough.

2003: May - Helps Wolves win promotion to the Premier League through the Division One play-offs.

2004: May - Wolves relegated after one season in the top-flight. Ince was expected to retire, but opted to play on for a further season.

2005: August 1 - Still at Wolves, Ince reveals the 2005/06 season will be his last as a player.

2006: August 30 - Leaves Wolves for League Two Swindon, prolonging his playing career for another season.

October 4 - After making only three appearances, has Swindon contract cancelled by mutual consent, citing "personal reasons" for his departure.

October 23 - Takes first job in management at Football League bottom club Macclesfield. Signed as player-manager on a 14-month contract, with a six-month rolling deal to be negotiated at a later date. They ensure survival on the last day of the season.

2007: June 25 - Appointed manager of MK Dons, after they finish fourth in League Two but miss out on promotion in the play-offs.

2008: Leads MK Dons to the League Two title and Johnstones Paint Trophy.

June 22 - Appointed Blackburn manager on a three-year contract.

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