QA: Paul Ince

The Inter Milan job could be available in the summer. Have you applied yet?

I’m not sure it is now. I’m devastated because Roberto Mancini has changed his mind and decided he’s going to stay. My eyes did open up wide when he said he was going, but I’ve got another two years years left on my contract at MK Dons.

But you’ll get there one day?

Definitely. As a player you have ambitions, you want to play for the biggest clubs and your country and it’s the same for managers. Hopefully, one day I’ll manage Inter Milan. The fans there love me and I love them.

So, you won’t be applying for the United job when Sir Alex Ferguson steps down?

In an ideal world, if someone offers you a job in the Premier League then you’re not going to turn it down, but I don’t want to be one of those managers who’s in the game for 20 or 30 years. It’s going to be ten or 15 years maximum for me. I’ve got a wife and kids and I spent so much time away from them as a player that I don’t want to do that as manager.

How many of those ten or 15 years are going to be spent at MK Dons?

There’s been a few situations with other clubs, but I came here to do a job and there’s still a lot to do. It’s not just getting out of League Two, it’s then getting out of League One — that could take two years, or it could take five.

What kind of manager are you?

I’m my own man. I don’t want people to say that I’m a Fergie-type manager or a Hoddle-type manager. Paul Ince is Paul Ince, he’s got his own style of management. People thought I was mad when I went to Macclesfield Town. They thought, because I was a big name, I should put my feet up and wait for a big club, but Paul Ince is not like that. Paul Ince, the footballer is gone, this is a new chapter in my life.

Looking forward to leading your team out at Wembley on Sunday in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final?

Too right. I haven’t even been yet. I went Christmas shopping in London a couple of months ago and I drove past it, but I never envisaged that I’d be going there as a manager this season.

West Ham United, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool — whose results do you look for first?

Haven’t got a clue. I played for so many bloody teams that I’m always looking out for results.

Interview by KAVEH SOLKEHOL

Comments

[Allan]

I think you're severely mistaken if you think Paul Ince believes you can jump straight to Inter Milan from MK Dons. He's no dreamer or fancy dan - the guy is built on hard work, determination and getting stuck in to challenging situations which is precisely why he took on the Macclesfield and MK jobs rather than the ridiculous silver spoon/god given right route that enables most former 'legends' to walk into jobs above the station of their experience. I think you'll find his comments were a mixture of his cocksure determination and tongue-in-cheek humour rather than sheer undiluted arrogance.

[Steven]

Maybe if a few more out of Curbishley, Jewell, Bruce, Allardyce, Southgate, McLaren or Pardew had the courage to contemplate a working life outside their cozy little English-speaking world and were prepared to stick their nose in a phrase book, England would be able to look forward to an internationally competent national manager some day in the next ten years. If Capello can learn English in a month I'm sure they can learn the Spanish for 'Bangers and mash' in 3-6 months.

[Andrew Russell]

Going straight from MK Dons to Inter Milan? Talking about himself in the third person? Deary me. I knew he thought a lot of himself, even for a footballer, but oh dear.
If I were a Dons fan I wouldn't be too impressed with his apparent ambition/willingness to jump ship as soon as a better offer comes along.

[Graham Melbourne]

Manager for ten to fifteen years max, because he wants to spend time with his family!! How old does he think his kids need to be before they are right to spend time with???

[Michael London]

is this a joke? tell me it's not real please.....