Ince, who left MK Dons, was presented to the media at Ewood Park on Tuesday afternoon and said he was delighted to become the Premier League's first ever British black manager.

"It means a lot (to make history) but it's also about that fact that I'm in the Premier League," he said.

"The feedback I have had from fans has been very encouraging and I am looking forward to meeting the players. I played with Brad Friedel at Liverpool.

"He's an exceptional keeper and someone I can speak to who can tell me things about the club.

"I am not scared of many things and there is no fear factor coming to Blackburn. It is exciting coming here."

The 40-year-old, who earned promotion from League Two and won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy last term, also said that his first priority would be to hold talks with David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz.

Both men have been linked with big-money moves from Ewood Park, but Ince said: "I'm looking forward to getting my teeth into it and I want to keep my best players, David Bentley and Santa Cruz among them.

"We don't start (pre-season) until 7th July so I'll speak to those two players and to the rest of them and take it from there."

Meanwhile, Rovers chairman John Williams has revealed that Ince is contractually obliged to earn his UEFA Pro Licence in the window allocated by the Premier League.

Williams, who secured the kind of dispensation for the former England captain that has previously been awarded to Gareth Southgate, Avram Grant and Glenn Roeder after negotiations, admitted Ince was formally bound to completing his training in the agreed period.