When Mark Hughes jumped ship to take over at Manchester City at the start of June Blackburn chairman John Williams started the long process of sifting through up to 40 applicants before eventually deciding on the man both he and the board feel can carry on the former manager’s great work at the club.

At first it looked like former Middlesbrough and England boss Steve McClaren and Sam Allardyce would be the men fighting it out for the job. However with McClaren going Dutch to take over at FC Twente and Big Sam realising the Rovers fans would be as welcoming as Newcastle’s were to his brand of football and opted out, that left Ince in the clear.

Fair play to the Premier League for playing their part by allowing Ince to take over a top-flight outfit without his UEFA Pro Licence – in the same way as Gareth Southgate got the green light at Middlesbrough two years ago – given that he has almost two years experience in managing at he lower reaches of the Football League

The stage is set for Ince to bring the promise he has shown in successful spells at Macclesfield, who he saved from certain relegation in 2007, before guiding the MK Dons to the League Two title in his first season.

Having worked under Sir Alex Ferguson, Gerard Houllier and Roy Hodgson during his playing days, Ince has already shown he has picked up some good coaching habits, while his able assistant Ray Mathias, who will no doubt follow him to Ewood Park, brings a wealth of experience and a good sounding board for the former England international captain.

Ince has played alongside some of the game’s best players so, like Hughes before him, he will not be daunted by having to keep the big shots at Blackburn in check once he gets to work.

His first big job will be to try and ensure star players like David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz do not pass him on the way through the revolving door at Ewood Park.

If he succeeds then that will be his first real test passed with flying colours. If he does not then the big test will be to use the money brought in wisely and ensure Rovers continue moving forward.

A top ten finish and a good cup run would constitute a good first season and realistic aim for Ince. Anything more would be a huge bonus, while anything less would no doubt be a huge disappointment for Ince more than anybody else.

However I cannot see a man with a winning mentality like Ince settling for second best and that is why I think he will be the right man for Rovers.

Written by Craig Smithson, a professional sports writer who blogs about Euro 2008 betting and Champions League Betting at the betting.Betfair