Paul Ince's right-hand man Ray Mathias has been keen to dispel the notion that the newly appointed Blackburn manager is as mean as a coach as he was as a player.

Mathias, 61, has worked under Ince at Macclesfield Town and MK Dons and will serve as his assistant at Ewood Park as well.

"I think people expected him to go in, with the type of player he was and whip everybody in to shape to do their best for the football club. It's not the case," Mathias told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Paul's very diplomatic. He hates looking back and hates looking forward. He lives for today. He never has any airs and graces about anything."

"He'll go about his job as he always does. He is very professional and he expects everyone around him to be exactly the same."