NEW boss Paul Ince won't believe he is the new manager of Blackburn Rovers until the start of pre-season training.

It has been a whirlwind few days for the former Milton Keynes boss, but until the players return on July 7th, it will only be then that it will sink in that he's manager of a Premier League club.

"I've been inundated with phone calls and good luck messages but it won't really sink in until I get on the training ground on July 7th and see the players and get working. Then I'll believe it then," said the new Rovers boss.

"It has been worth the wait, credit to the Chairman John Williams, he has pursued the situation with the Premier League and we are here now so it is great.

"Mark Hughes has done a fantastic job and stabilised the club and now it is down to me to improve that.

"It is a family club, the people here are fantastic, it has a lovely family feel about it and I'm looking forward to getting to work with the players.

"I'm aware of all the Blackburn players because I watch the Premier League every Saturday night so I'm looking forward to it, looking forward to playing some good football and exciting the fans."

Rovers World subscribers can see our exclusive interview with Paul Ince online now.