By Rob Stewart
When Paul Ince says that he aims to manage one of the world's mostfamous clubs, Inter Milan, and then take charge of England, it would be unwise to scoff at the rookie's ambitions.
That is because "The Guvnor" has been breaking down barriers all his life and is already setting his sights on maintaining that ground-breaking habit now his managerial career is taking shape.
Ince was a pioneering player and is now a trailblazing manager in the English Premier League with ambitions of conquering Serie A and international football.
He broke new ground as the first black player to captain England and repeated the feat by becoming the first black Briton to manage a top-flight club when he took over at Blackburn Rovers. And he is already plotting a return to the San Siro he once graced in the colours of Inter Milan.
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By his own admission, his Blackburn job is a far cry from his days as a "scruffy little kid" under late West Ham United manager John Lyall, who spotted his protégé at the age of 12 and kept him on the straight and narrow.
"I had to fend for myself from a very young age," said Ince. "I grew up in a two-bedroom council flat with my mum, brother, sister, cousins and aunties. I shared a bedroom with my brother, sister and cousin. But I didn't see it as poor; I was just the way it was."
After fulfilling a childhood dream and making his West Ham debut at 19, he excelled for the club he supported.
He was one of the few players to emerge with his reputation enhanced as the Hammers were relegated.
But he did not have to hang around long, as Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson moved for a midfielder who had "two good feet, was quick, useful in the air, could tackle to serious effect and had a winner's drive".
Fergie's £1-million investment yielded huge dividends as Ince helped end United's 26-year wait for the English title, heralding an era of unprecedented success as the team dominated the domestic game.
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