Blackburn Rovers have taken a gamble on a young - in managerial terms - English talent in handing Paul Ince the reins at Ewood Park.

Ince brings no guarantee of success with him, but he has the priceless virtue of having actually served a good old-fashioned apprenticeship at his job after quitting as a player.

And for someone who had a reputation for having an ego on the field, the self-styled "Guv'nor" lest we forget, he has shown a refreshing willingness to put that on one side and go in at the bottom to learn his new trade.

Ince helped Macclesfield preserve their Football League status before polishing his profile further by guiding MK Dons to the League Two title and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy last season.

Of course Ince has not got his Uefa pro licence yet, but this now appears as meaningless in reality as it is to the average football fan in the street.

Give me a manager who has actually managed but does not have Uefa's so-called seal of approval rather than someone who has the licence but has actually never done the job.

Ince has got his hands dirty at the wrong end of the league, and having been a success it is a natural progression that he now moves up the ladder to take charge in the top flight.

The licence can wait. Ince has proper managerial work to do.

It has been a regular cry that up-and-coming British managers who have served time in the lower leagues are passed over in favour of more fashionable foreign names.

Blackburn have ignored this route and for that alone deserve credit.

Ince has certainly had the opportunity to learn from some of the game's most experienced managers, from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United to Roy Hodgson at Inter Milan as well as Gerard Houllier at Liverpool - although the less said about that relationship the better.

He has also had a vastly-experienced and astute assistant in Ray Mathias at MK Dons and it would be no surprise if that partnership is revived at Blackburn.

Ince joins Blackburn at a challenging time, with David Bentley deciding he now needs a bigger stage than Ewood Park and admirers circling the much-coveted Roque Santa Cruz.

Bentley looks to be a lost cause, but Ince will surely launch a charm offensive to keep Santa Cruz.

Ince also has the benefit of taking over at a club that appears to be superbly well-organised under the chairmanship of John Williams.

Of course, the former England star regards himself as a winner and will target silverware, but he may have to set his sights a little lower in his new job.

Blackburn will regard a cup as a bonus, and for Ince success will be taking the club back into Europe after missing out last season.

And it will be just like old times for the former Liverpool captain when he starts his reign on the opening day of the season - at Everton.

Ince will be guaranteed an interesting reception at Goodison Park, but he will relish the chance to put his fighting spirit to the test at the top.

It seems strange to call the appointment of an emerging English manager without any of Uefa's certificates to his name a bold move, but this is what it is and Blackburn will hope to be well-rewarded.