Since former boss Mark Hughes moved on to Manchester City there have been suggestions that Warnock might be leaving as well, but - after Ince signed a three-year deal - Warnock has pledged his future to the club.

"I am more than happy at Blackburn - I love the club. It is fantastic," he told BBC Radio Lancashire. "Hopefully we will continue to have a lot of success under the new manager."

He added: "I was desperate to find out who it was going to be as you want to know who you are working with.

"It was disappointing to lose Mark Hughes but this is an exciting time for the club."

The former England midfielder guided MK Dons to promotion from Coca-Cola League Two and prevented Macclesfield going out of the league a year earlier.

Warnock added: "Paul Ince did a fantastic job at these two clubs and has moved up the leagues very quickly.

"I think people will be itching to play for him not because of who he is but because of his achievements as a manager.

"He gets the most out of his players and the chairman has probably chosen the best man for the job."