Management at the top clubs in England can often mimic, with old-timers rotting away at the top until they finally relinquish control to their hungry, committed juniors.

But the old guard is slowly eroding away and fresh faces are appearing on touch-lines all across Europe.

Some, like Ronald Koeman, are find things tough going. Slaven Bilic has managed to promote himself as the greatest manager, unopposed. Former Inter Milan legend, Walter Zenga, has confidently walked into crisis club Catania heralding: "I know the fans in Catania (as an Inter player, I made some incredible saves during a 0-0 match in '84), and I am convinced that this will help bring everyone together." In England, the diamond in the rough is Paul Ince.

'Where others saw hopelessness at Macclesfied, Ince saw opportunity, conspiring to pull off the great escape in fantastic last-day fashion'


It wasn't so long ago that The Guv'nor was charging up and down the Old Trafford turf, bossing games in the early Premiership years as the  finest central midfielder in the country. Ince went on to record a hugely respectful England career (think Italy 0-0) amassing over 50 caps, before playing two seasons for Inter Milan.

Many are now looking to Ince to redress the racial disparity in English football management. Along with Macclesfield's Keith Alexander, Ince remains the only black manager in the Football League. But race issues have never been an issue for Ince, who was the first black captain for England, and his ambitions and talents have never had anything to do with skin colour.

Rather than walking into a Premier League or Championship job, management has taken Ince to far less glamorous pitches than his playing career provided. Starting at Macclesfield was a suicide mission. A club falling out of League Two, seven points off their nearest rivals, Macclesfield had no hope. But where others saw hopelessness Ince saw opportunity, conspiring to pull off the great escape in fantastic last-day fashion.

Up-and-coming Ince was snapped up by Franchise FC, the MK Dons. The marriage between the Dons and Ince, two unfashionable outsiders, proved to be a profitable union both in the league and most recently in the Johnstones Paint Trophy Final, where they beat Grimsby 2-0 to finally give the club the history they crave.

Rumours are now abound that the big stage awaits Ince's arrival. For the moment though Ince remains grounded and committed to the MK Dons. Perhaps this is just because the offers have not been good enough yet. But, sooner rather than later they will be, and Ince will sit in the big stage dug-outs, alongside other newbies Gareth Southgate and Roy Keane.