The Guv’na has made his first move at Blackburn bringing in esteemed No. 2 Archie Knox, the man who’s been at the side of managers like Sir Alex and Walter Smith.

The 61 year old Scot has a resume that includes such names as Aberdeen, Manchester United, Glasgow Rangers, Everton and Bolton.

Great move by Ince, recognizing early in his Premiership management career that a guy like Knox could really help out with the little things that need to be addressed day in and day out and trust me, Knox will do that.

Back in 1997 Buka and I spent three months at Glasgow Rangers with Archie Knox running the training sessions while Walter Smith sat back, watching and jumping in to give information when necessary.   Knox was ran some of the best sessions I’ve ever been a part of, focusing on passing and movement while keeping as much possession as possible.

image via Yimg

TRIPLE UPDATE -  Looks like ol’ Sparky really likes himself some Brad Friedel.

If this does go down I’m just wondering what’s going to happen to the development of Joe Hart?  Hart’s one of the best English keepers as it is and would be a huge blow to the young keepers future.

And is Friedel worth 3 Million?  As of right now Friedel is the longest serving member at Ewood Park, signing with Blackburn at the end of the 2000 Olympics in Australia after leaving Premiership side Liverpool.

DOUBLE UPDATE - While Sven has gotten his compensation package from City, Blackburn has officially allowed Hughes and City to open negotiations.

It’s going to cost City 5 Million Euros for Sparky.
UPDATE - Seems as though Thaksin Shinawatra really wants a new coach after handing out a Million Euro payoff to Sven.

Must be nice. Must be nice.

It’s being reported in both the major newspapers in England that Mark Hughes is heading towards Manchester City after Blackburn has allowed contact with the manager.

If this is true, then you’d have to think that Svenny is going to get the big job in Mexico right? Maybe not!

So who’d get Blackburn if Hughes leaves? Sam Allardyce?

Does Ryan Nelsen and Brad Friedel follow?

image via DailyMail

UPDATE -  Ince has taken charge at Ewood Park and will be formally announced as Blackburn head coach at a press conference on Tuesday according the official PremierLeague website.

Paul Ince is set to become the first black Briton to take charge of a Premiership Club after receiving official backing from the Premier League.

The Guv’nor will have two years to finish his UEFA Pro Licence, similar to what Middlesbrough’s Gareth Southgate had to do.

This after getting the same backing from the League Managers Association, allowing the 40 year old to become the new Blackburn boss this weekend.

If this does happen it’ll be a great day in British football as a guy like Ince deserves his shot at the highest level due to his level of play and commitment during his playing days, similar to Southgate at Middlesbrough and Keane at Sunderland.

image via TheFA

DOUBLE UPDATE -  The League Managers’ Association have announced that they will not object to Blackburn naming Paul Ince manager despite his lack of badges at the highest coaching level.

This is a similar situation to that of Middlesbrough’s Gareth Southgate when he retired and took over two years ago.

UPDATE - Is Paul Ince finishing up his badges to make sure his name is called?

If you had to choose from Steve McClaren, Paul Ince or Sam Allardyce to be the new boss man at Ewood Park, who would you pick?

That’s the dilemma for Blackburn Rovers Chairman John Williams as he expects to name a new by sometime next week.

We’ve already seen what McClaren can do to a squad. Allardyce given enough time might be a good choice. But what about Paul Ince and the job he’s done with MK Dons?

A pros pro and a guy that can demand the respect of the players day in and day out. They type of coach that Mark Hughes is and was for Blackburn.

And that might help with the David Bentley situation because you can bet your Euro laced wallet that if McClaren is named, Bentely’s walking for sure.

image via Yimg

I’ve got to admit it, this is my favorite time of the year. For example….

When Mark Hughes left for Manchester City, Blackburn got their compensation package. But what about the players that signed for Hughes after he took over for Graeme Souness back in 2004?

One man who looks set to move on is Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz, who was bought from Bayern Munich for only 3.5 Million Pound (which could have been the greatest steal of all time) just a year ago, flew under the radar all season long after the amazing goal scoring seasons that Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres put together.

What people fail to realize though is that Santa Cruz ended up hitting the back of the net 23 times in 42 matches for a Blackburn squad that finished 7th in the Premiership for the 2007/08 season.

Imagine what he could do with even better talent surrounding him.

Now Santa Cruz is admitting interest from Manchester United.

Next up, Ryan Nelsen and Brad Friedel. Just sayin….

image via VirginMedia

If you have 4-5 million Pound, you too can be a Barclay’s Premiership mid-level team kit sponsor. Blackburn Rover’s three year deal with locally made Crown Paints is said to be three years long and a far, far cry from AIG, BWin, Chang’s or Samsung.

Look for the Lancashire club to wear the logo proudly on next season’s home, away and fan friendly third kit.

image via CrownTrade

After coming to the attention of Blackburn scouts following his win at a juggling competition, 17 year old midfielder and part time Plasterer Andy Marrow was given a month long trial with the Lancashire club.  This past week the youngster was given his debut with the Reserve team, beating Manchester United Reserves 2-1 and winning himself a contract at Ewood Park, similar to the way the club found striker Matt Derbyshire.

image via Rovers

When you’re out of FA Cup competition and Champions League/Uefa Cup competition, you get to take a little R&R. Sometimes that means a little trip to Spain or Italy, but if you’ve got an American with pull, it means the good ol U.S. of A. Brad Friedel’s Blackburn Rovers open up a three day training stint at the Walt Disney Resort compound in Orlando on February 15th, 18th and 19th, taking full advantage of the warm weather and Disneyland.

[image via REDeveloper]

If you’ve ever had the chance to meet Brad Friedel, then you know what kind of guy he is. The Premier Soccer Academy that he’s built in Ohio is similar to the idea that’s happening in Bradenton, Florida yet different in that his academy is for club players. The future of having the opportunity to train everyday at a high level, similar to the model in England is another HUGE step in the right direction for American soccer, especially when American soccer/football players are putting money where their mouth is and back in the game for the kids.

Today Blackburn announced the one year extension that Brad Friedel was signed to, keeping him at Ewood Park (with former MLS’er Ryan Nelsen) until June of 2010. Friedel has smashed the record for Premiership appearances for Rovers at 300 games this past weekend against Timmy Howard and Everton. I still remember sitting at lunch in Sydney, Australia back in 2000 and Brad getting a call from Graeme Souness (his former manager at Galatasary) about the possible transfer from Liverpool, back when Blackburn was in the Championship (Division One).

image via BBC 

One of the biggest success stories to come out of MLS has been Kiwi Ryan Nelsen.  After leading DC United to a championship, the then 27 years old went on trial with Mark Hughes’ Blackburn Rover and was immediately signed on a free transfer.  In less than 6 months, Nelsen was leading the starting 11 out at Ewood Park and guiding Blackburn (along with Brad Friedel) into UEFA Cup.  Although Nelsen has been a constant in the starting lineup, the pesky hamstring problem he faced last year has flared up again, forcing him to take a couple of weeks off.