Blackburn Rovers are hoping to find a replacement for Mark Hughes by the end of next week, with Paul Ince, the Milton Keynes Dons manager, a contender to succeed his former Manchester United team-mate at Ewood Park.

With Leicester City requesting permission from MK Dons last night to speak to Ince about their vacancy, Blackburn may have to move quickly to secure his services, although the lure of the Barclays Premier League will strengthen their hand. Ince, 41, has excelled during his short managerial career. He is on holiday at present but has spoken previously of his desire to manage at the highest level and the prospect not only of becoming the first black British manager in the Premier League, but of taking charge of an established top-ten club with a talented squad and a reputation for stability will appeal greatly.

Blackburn were disappointed to lose Hughes to Manchester City but, even though John Williams, the chairman, is not mentioning any names at this stage, Ince is believed to be figuring prominently in his thoughts.

Other candidates linked with the job include Sam Allardyce, the former Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle United manager, Dick Advocaat, the Zenit St Petersburg coach who has said that he wants to manage in England, and Henning Berg, the former Blackburn defender who is coach of Lyn Oslo, in Norway. A possible alliance between Mike Newell and Alan Shearer, the former Blackburn strikers, has also been mooted.

Williams appointed Hughes as the successor to Graeme Souness in September 2004, even though the former United striker’s only coaching experience had been with Wales and he had no experience of club management. The chairman has proved himself a shrewd judge and he is known to favour the idea of blooding talented young managers.

“We have enjoyed eight years of success and stability with Graeme Souness and Mark. Now it’s important we build on our strengths,” Williams said. “We must make sure it is three successful appointments in a row.

“We [Mark and I] have enjoyed a first-class, mutually beneficial relationship. He leaves the club in a strong position with three consecutive top-ten finishes and an excellent squad of players. In turn, we have helped Mark to establish himself as one of the most sought-after young British managers in the business, having previously had no club management experience.

“We wish him well. We would have liked him to stay on, but he made it clear he wanted a fresh challenge. Now our focus switches to the search for a successor.”

Ince is the latest of Sir Alex Ferguson’s former United players to make a name for himself in management. After a brief period as Swindon Town’s player-coach, Ince was appointed as manager of Macclesfield Town in October 2006, with the club rock bottom of Coca-Cola League Two. He pulled off a remarkable turnaround and guided the club to safety on the final day of the season.

Ince’s achievements caught the attention of Milton Keynes last summer and he subsequently steered the club to the Coca-Cola League Two championship and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in his first season in charge.

Whoever replaces Hughes at Blackburn will walk into one of the most stable and organised operations in the Premier League. Having reassured Hughes that the club would not sell their best players, Williams will provide the new manager with the same guarantees, even though Blackburn are likely to find it difficult to keep their squad intact. Hughes is expected to try to entice David Bentley, the England midfield player, whom he brought to Ewood Park from Arsenal for £2.5 million, to the City of Manchester Stadium, and Roque Santa Cruz and Benni McCarthy, the strikers, and Morten Gamst Pedersen, the winger, are all likely to be in demand.

Ince is well travelled

Created a storm in 1989, when he moved from West Ham United to Manchester United, by being photographed in a United shirt before the £1 million deal had been completed.

Won two titles and an FA Cup at Old Trafford, but sold to Inter Milan in 1995 by United after Alex Ferguson accused him of getting too big for his boots.

Ignored monkey chants and became cult hero at the San Siro because of his commitment to the Inter cause. Has made no secret of his desire to return to Italy to manage Inter before retiring in 10 to 15 years.

Turned the stomach of United fans by signing for Liverpool in 1997 before moving to Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Swindon Town.

First black player to captain England. Won 53 caps and was a blood-soaked hero in Rome in October 1997 when England drew with Italy to qualify for World Cup finals.

Cut his managerial teeth at Macclesfield Town last year by stopping the club dropping out of the League.

Milton Keynes Dons were promoted from Coca-Cola League Two last season after winning the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in Ince’s first season in charge.

Words by Kaveh Solhekol