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{{Short description|English association football player (born 1967)}}
{{Football player infobox |
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
playername = Ince |
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
image = |
{{Infobox football biography
fullname =jimmy is mint
| name = Paul Ince
nickname = The Guv'nor |
| image = Paul Ince.jpg
dateofbirth = ] ] |
| caption = Ince in 2006
cityofbirth = ] |
| full_name = Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince<ref name=Hugman>{{Hugman|9859|access-date=9 February 2020}}</ref>
countryofbirth = ] |
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|10|21|df=y}}<ref name=PremProfile/>
currentclub = ] |
| birth_place = ], ], England
position = Midfield |
| height = {{convert|1.78|m|order=flip}}<ref name=PremProfile/>
youthyears = |
| position = ]<ref name=Hugman/>
youthclubs = |
| youthyears1 = 1982–1986 |youthclubs1 = ]
years = ]–]<br />]–]<br />]–]<br />]–]<br />]–]<br />]– |
| years1 = 1986–1989 |clubs1 = ] |caps1 = 72 |goals1 = 7
clubs = ]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />] |
| years2 = 1989–1995 |clubs2 = ] |caps2 = 206 |goals2 = 25
caps(goals) = |
| years3 = 1995–1997 |clubs3 = ] |caps3 = 54 |goals3 = 10
nationalyears = ]–] |
| years4 = 1997–1999 |clubs4 = ] |caps4 = 65 |goals4 = 14
nationalteam = ] |
| years5 = 1999–2002 |clubs5 = ] |caps5 = 93 |goals5 = 7
nationalcaps(goals) = 53 (2) |
| years6 = 2002–2006 |clubs6 = ] |caps6 = 115 |goals6 = 10
pcupdate = |
| years7 = 2006 |clubs7 = ] |caps7 = 3 |goals7 = 0
ntupdate = 13 Nov 05
| years8 = 2007 |clubs8 = ] |caps8 = 1 |goals8 = 0
| totalcaps = 609 |totalgoals = 73
| nationalyears1 = 1989 |nationalteam1 = ] |nationalcaps1 = 2 |nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 1992 |nationalteam2 = ] |nationalcaps2 = 1 |nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 1992–2000 |nationalteam3 = ] |nationalcaps3 = 53 |nationalgoals3 = 2
| manageryears1 = 2006–2007 |managerclubs1 = ]
| manageryears2 = 2007–2008 |managerclubs2 = ]
| manageryears3 = 2008 |managerclubs3 = ]
| manageryears4 = 2009–2010 |managerclubs4 = ]
| manageryears5 = 2010–2011 |managerclubs5 = ]
| manageryears6 = 2013–2014 |managerclubs6 = ]
| manageryears7 = 2022–2023 |managerclubs7 = ]
}} }}
'''Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince''' ({{IPAc-en|ɪ|n|s}}; born 21 October 1967) is an English professional ] and former player who was most recently manager of ]. A ], Ince played professionally from 1986 to 2007, starting his career with ] and later representing ], ], ], ], ] and ] in England, as well as ] in Italy. With a combined total of 271 league appearances for the two, Ince is one of the few players, especially in the ] era, to have represented both of ].


Ince spent the majority of his playing career at the highest level; after breaking through with his then-] boyhood club West Ham United, he joined Manchester United in 1989, where he would win the Premier League twice, the ] twice and the ] once during his six-year spell at ]. After falling out with manager ], Ince was sold to Inter Milan of ] in 1995, where he was a runner-up in the 1997 ].
'''Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince''' (born ] ] in ], ]) is a ] player who won numerous honours with ] and became the first black player to ] the ] team in a career that saw him play for five English clubs and Italian side, ].


After two years in Italy, Ince returned to the Premier League with Liverpool, later also representing Middlesbrough and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the top flight before beginning to move into coaching in the mid-2000s. After a spell as player-coach of Swindon, he retired from playing while player-manager of Macclesfield Town in 2007. He went on to manage ] (twice), ], ] and, after an almost-two-year break, ].
==West Ham United==
Ince joined his boyhood club ] on leaving school and made his debut in the first team at the age of 19, coming on as a substitute in a 4-0 defeat at ]. The following season he began to establish himself as a regular in the midfield, proving himself to have all-round qualities of pace, stamina, uncompromising tackling and good passing ability. He also packed a powerful shot, and was awarded with England under-21 honours to go with the youth ] he acquired as an ].


Ince was capped 53 times by the ], scoring two goals. He played at ], the ] and ], and became the first black player to ] England.<ref>.</ref> His son ] is also a footballer.
In August ], an eventful season for Ince began. In a struggling West Ham side, he shot to national recognition with two stunning goals in a wholly unexpected 4-1 win over champions ] in the ], and continued to score goals as the Hammers reached the semi-finals while having real trouble finding any form in the League. West Ham lost to ] in the semi-finals and, despite frequent displays of individual brilliance from Ince, were relegated at the end of the season.


==Club career==
==Manchester United & England==
===West Ham United===
Ince played just once in ] the following season before completing a highly-controversial transfer to ] for one million ]. The move was controversial because Ince had been photographed in a Manchester United kit long before the transfer was complete, and this photograph appeared in the '']''. Ince received hateful abuse from West Ham United fans and quickly sorted out the finalities for the move to ], though he endured further trouble when the deal was delayed after he failed his initial medical examination.
Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince was born in ], Greater London.<ref name=blackmanager/> He grew up as a ] supporter. He was spotted playing, aged 12, by West Ham manager ] around the time that the club was in the Second Division and achieved a surprise FA Cup final triumph over Arsenal.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}


Ince signed for the Hammers as a trainee, aged 14. Lyall helped Ince through troubled school times eventually signing him as a ] trainee, on leaving school, in 1984.<ref name="Belton">Belton, Brian (2006). ''The Black Hammers p.76'' Pennant Books. {{ISBN|0-9550394-5-2}}</ref> He is a product of the ] and made his debut in English football on 30 November 1986 against ] in the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westhamstats.info/westham.php?west=2&ham=348&united=Paul_Ince|title=Paul Ince|website=www.westhamstats.info|access-date=10 March 2019}}</ref> He became a regular player in ], proving himself to have all-round qualities of pace, stamina, uncompromising tackling and good passing ability. He also packed a powerful shot, and was awarded with England under-21 honours to go with the youth ] he acquired as an apprentice. He firmly established himself as the successor in West Ham's midfield for the veteran ], who retired at the end of the 1987–88 season. Unfortunately for Ince, West Ham were not enjoying one of their best spells when he broke into the team. Despite having won the FA Cup in 1980 and finished third in the league in 1986, they had failed to sustain their challenge for major honours and finished 15th in 1987 and 16th in 1988, and worse was to follow.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}
In a recent article in '']'' magazine, when answering questions about his career from readers, he got his chance to explain the story:


In August 1988, an eventful ] for Ince began. In a struggling West Ham side, he shot to national recognition with two stunning goals in a shock 4–1 win over defending league champions ] in the ], and continued to score goals as the Hammers reached the semi-finals while having real trouble finding any form in the League. West Ham lost to ] in the semi-finals and, despite frequent displays of individual brilliance from Ince, were relegated at the end of the season, a disappointment which cost manager ] his job after 15 years at the helm. West Ham's relegation sparked inevitable speculation that Ince would be sold to a First Division club, with Manchester United being among the clubs being linked to Ince's signature.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}
''"I spoke to ] and the deal was close to being done. I then went on holiday, and my ] at the time, ], said it wasn't worth me coming back to do a picture in a United shirt when the deal was completed, so I should do one before I left, and it would be released when the deal was announced. Lawrence Luster of the '']'' took the picture and put in the ]. Soon after, their sister paper, the ''Daily Express'', were looking for a picture of me playing for West Ham, and found the one of me in the United shirt in the pile. They published it and all hell broke loose.''


===Manchester United===
''"I came back from holiday to discover West Ham fans were going mad. It wasn't really my fault. I was only a kid, I did what my agent told me to do, then took all the crap for it."''
]


Ince played just once in the ] the following season before completing a highly controversial transfer to ] for ]1&nbsp;million. Ince had been photographed in a Manchester United kit long before the transfer was complete, which appeared in the '']''. Ince received abuse from West Ham United fans for many years afterwards. The initial move was postponed after he failed a medical, but was quickly completed on 14 September 1989 after he later received the all-clear.<ref>{{Cite web|last=codeart.mk|date=2018-07-12|title=Paul Ince: The Rise and Fall of the Guv'nor|url=https://mufclatest.com/paul-ince-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-guvnor/|access-date=2021-06-30|website=MUFCLatest.com|language=en-GB|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181617/https://mufclatest.com/paul-ince-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-guvnor/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Ince eventually made his Manchester United debut in a 5-1 win over ] and (despite peculiarly wearing the No.2 shirt all season) became a strong presence in the midfield alongside long-serving captain ] and fellow new signing ]. United won the ] in his first season, defeating ] 1-0 in a replay at ] after initially drawing 3-3.


In an article in '']'' magazine,{{when|date=March 2019}} Ince said:
As Robson's career subsequently wound down, Ince became the ] of the United midfield, with snapping tackles, raking passes and some tremendously hit shots, though he was not too prolific a goalscorer.


''"I spoke to ] and the deal was close to being done. I then went on holiday, and my agent at the time, ], said it wasn't worth me coming back to do a picture in a United shirt when the deal was completed, so I should do one before I left, and it would be released when the deal was announced. Lawrence Luster of the '']'' took the picture and put in the library. Soon after, their sister paper, the ''Daily Express'', were looking for a picture of me playing for West Ham, and found the one of me in the United shirt in the pile. They published it and all hell broke loose. "I came back from holiday to discover West Ham fans were going mad. It wasn't really my fault. I was only a kid, I did what my agent told me to do, then took all the crap for it."''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/exclusive-edwards-knox-on-ince-west-ham-that-man-utd-shirt-snap-4205361|title=EXCLUSIVE: Edwards & Knox on Ince, West Ham & THAT Man Utd shirt snap - Tribal Football|website=www.tribalfootball.com|access-date=10 March 2019}}</ref>
He won his second winners' medal when United defeated ] in the final of the ] in ] in ] and received his third another year later when United beat ] in the ] ] final.


Ince eventually made his Manchester United debut in a 5–1 win over ], although his next game for United came in a 5–1 ] defeat by ]. Ince became a strong presence in the United midfield alongside ] and ], although the first season of this midfield partnership saw Robson and in particular Webb miss many games due to injury. Ince found himself partnering Webb in the centre of the United midfield for most of the 1990–91 season, with Robson absent from the close season until just before Christmas due to injury, with ] appearing during Robson's absence.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}
Ince made his debut for the full England team in September of that year in a friendly match against ] in ]. England lost 1-0 but Ince proved a success. He was duly awarded his second cap a month later in a disappointing 1-1 draw with ] in a qualifying match for the ].


United won the ] in his first season, defeating ] 1–0 in a replay at ] after initially drawing 3–3. In both of these games, Ince was selected at right-back in favour of ], with his favoured central midfield position being occupied by ]. Ince was man of the match for the replay.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427172120/http://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk/1990.htm|date=27 April 2012}}</ref>
At the same time, Manchester United were competing in the inaugural ] season with Ince and his best friend at the time, ] at the fore and part of a now legendary team that included ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Seeking a first League title for 26 years, United won it and Ince completed his domestic medal set just three years after joining the club. This success at club level was marred, however, by failure at international level, as Ince was dropped by manager ] for two of five World Cup qualifiers, the second of which was a crucial 2-0 defeat in Norway which made England's hopes of reaching the finals slim.


Over the next four seasons, Robson's United career gradually wound down until he finally left to manage ] in 1994. During this time, Ince found himself playing alongside several other different central midfielders, including Mike Phelan, Neil Webb and ]. The arrival of striker ] in November 1992 saw ] become Ince's regular central midfield partner until the arrival of ] the following season.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}
However, Ince made history during England's summer tour of the ] when, in a match against the host nation, he became England's first black captain in the absence of ] and ]. Sadly England embarrassingly lost 2-0.


Meanwhile, Ince became United's key midfielder, with snapping tackles, raking passes and some tremendously hit shots, though he was not too prolific a goalscorer. One of his best games came in February 1994, when he scored in a 2–2 away draw with former club West Ham in the ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=West Ham United v Manchester United, 26 February 1994|url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/west-ham-united-v-manchester-united-26-february-1994-21568/|access-date=2021-06-30|website=11v11.com}}</ref>
As the following domestic season got underway, Ince won his tenth England cap in a 3-0 win over ] which kept alive their World Cup qualification hopes, though required a victory over ] in Rotterdam a month later. In a controversial match, Holland beat England 2-0 and qualification hopes had gone. Ince scored twice - his first international goals - as the qualifying campaign ended with a 7-1 thumping of ] in ] but the margin of victory wasn't enough.


Ince won his second winners' medal when United defeated ] in the final of the ] in ] in 1991 and received his third another year later when United beat ] in the 1992 ] final.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}
Manchester United continued to dominate the domestic game and Ince was the midfield general in the side which won the "double" of Premiership and FA Cup in ]. A year later and Ince suffered more chants of ''JUDAS'' when he and Manchester United went to West Ham on the last day of the season, needing a win to reclaim their Premiership crown. Sadly for them, they could only draw the game and ] took the title. It went from bad to worse as Ince featured then in the United team which also lost the FA Cup final to ].


The next year, Manchester United were competing in the inaugural ] season with Ince and his best friend at the time, ] at the fore and part of a team that included ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Seeking a first League title for 26 years, United won it and Ince completed his domestic medal set just four years after joining the club.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}
During the same season, Manchester United's temperamental ] striker ] received a ] sentence (later commuted to a ] order on ]) after he attacked a Crystal Palace supporter who had chanted abuse at him after he had been sent off for a foul. Ince was also deemed to have got involved in the aftermath and was charged with ]. He was acquitted after a trial.


Manchester United continued to dominate the domestic game in 1993–94, enjoying an almost unbroken lead of the Premier League throughout the season, and Ince was the midfield general in the side which won the "double" of league and FA Cup in 1994. A year later and Ince suffered more of the all too familiar chants of "]" when he and Manchester United went to West Ham on the last day of the season, needing a win to retain their Premier League crown. They could only draw the game and ] took the title. Ince's next game saw them lose the FA Cup final to ], leaving United without a major trophy for the first time in six seasons. During that season, his central midfield partner Roy Keane had missed 17 of United's 42 league games due to injury, meaning that Ince often found himself partnered with ] and – particularly towards the end of the season – the 20-year-old ].{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}
==Internazionale==
Ince's abilities as a player were, at this stage, at their peak - however, Ferguson sold him in the summer of 1995 to ] for eight million pounds. Stories had emerged that Ince had been insisting he was called the "Guv'nor" ''(sic)'' by the other players (Ince later said it was a phase which went over the top) and, after selling him, Ferguson went on to label Ince as a "big-time Charlie". Ince left United after playing 278 games for them, scoring 28 goals.


In June 1995, Ferguson sold Ince to ] for £7.5&nbsp;million – at the time one of the biggest fees involving an English club. Ferguson had long sustained a tempestuous relationship with Ince, labelling him a "bottler" and a "big-time Charlie" (a statement Ferguson said later he regretted). Ince's nickname, ''The Guvnor'', also rankled with Ferguson, who once berated him by saying, "There's only one guvnor around here, Incey, and it ain't you".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://talksport.com/football/484110/manchester-united-paul-ince-alex-ferguson-big-time-charlie-liverpool/ |title= Paul Ince recalls argument with angry Sir Alex Ferguson, who later called him 'big time Charlie' ahead of Liverpool vs Man United}}</ref> Many fans saw this as the prime reason for Ince being sold, rather than on footballing or economic grounds.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/06/25/sfnbla125.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628134420/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/06/25/sfnbla125.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 June 2008 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |title=Blackburn's Paul Ince enjoys return to big time |first=Neil |last=Johnston |date=25 June 2008 |access-date=22 May 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hunter |first=Andy |title=Ferguson: my regrets over Ince feud |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/oct/04/premierleague.blackburn |access-date=18 October 2015 |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=4 October 2008}}</ref>
Ince's career in Italy lasted two seasons. After a shaky start, a somewhat sceptical Inter crowd were soon won over by Ince's complete commitment to the Inter cause and as such he soon became one of their favourite players. In the ]/] season Inter failed to challenge for a 14th ], finishing seventh in the championship. Ince, though, had a great first season, playing in all but four of Inter's league matches. The next year, Ince had another successful season with the nerazzurri, scoring 6 times in 24 matches in the championship - in which Inter finished third - and also playing his part in Inter's run through to the ] Final. Ince scored in the third round second-leg match away to ] as Inter swept all before them before meeting ] in the Final. Ince didn't play in the away first-leg as Inter lost 1-0 but he returned to the line-up for the home match which the Italians won 1-0 thanks to a goal from ]. Penalties were again a heart-breaker for Ince though, as Schalke won 4-1 in the resulting penalty shoot-out.


While at United, Ince had collected two ] title medals as well as two ] winner's medals and one winner's medal each in the ] and ]. He had also collected runners-up medals in the League Cup twice and the FA Cup once.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}
Despite being offered a new, improved contract by club president ], Ince decided that after two years away it was time to move home and he left Inter as one of the more successful of English players to have ever played abroad.


==Euro 96== ===Inter Milan===
In the 1995–96 season, Inter failed to challenge for a 14th ], finishing seventh in the Serie A. Ince, though, had a successful first season, playing in all but four of Inter's league matches and performing well after a slow start which had started speculation that he could be on his way back to the Premier League as early as the November transfer window - with ] and ] both reported to be interested. However, he would remain in Milan for two seasons.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/that-was-the-season-that-was-1345862.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/that-was-the-season-that-was-1345862.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=That was the season that was|date=6 May 1996|website=The Independent|access-date=10 March 2019}}</ref>
For all his PR problems of the time, Ince was still a regular choice for England squads, though he played few games for new coach ] in the long sequence of friendly and mini-tournament matches which were necessary as England were hosting the next major tournament (]) and therefore didn't have a qualifying campaign. With Ince now playing in Italy, it meant that Venables was unable to watch him play very often, though by everyone's admission Ince's two-year spell in ], unlike many British footballers who had gone there, was a big success.


The next year, Ince had another successful season with the nerazzurri, scoring 6 times in 24 matches in the championship – in which Inter finished third – and also playing his part in Inter's run through to the ] Final. Ince scored in the third round second-leg match away to ] as Inter swept all before them before meeting ] in ]. Ince did not play in the away first-leg as Inter lost 1–0 but he returned to the line-up for the home match which the Italians won 1–0 thanks to a goal from ]. Penalties were again a heart breaker for Ince though, as Schalke won 4–1 in the resulting penalty shoot-out.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}
When Euro 96 got underway, Ince was in the England team as the midfield ballwinner and got the label of "]'s ]" whose job was to create room for Paul Gascoigne to exploit with his natural ball skills. Though the first group game ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw at Wembley against ], England went on to defeat the old enemy ] 2-0 and then put on a display regarded as "total football" against (ironically) Holland, the team whose performances at the ] had first prompted the phrase's coining. Ince was fouled for a penalty which gave England the lead and helped them towards a 4-1 win; he also picked up a yellow card which rendered him unavailable for the quarter final against Spain, which England won on penalties.


Ince was offered a new, improved contract by club president, ], despite having two and a half years left on his current contract. However, due to family reasons he was unable to accept the contract and returned to England with Liverpool.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}
Venables put Ince back in the side for the semi-final against ], though he was asked to play at right back to cover for the suspended ]. Ince and England played superbly but could only manage a 1-1 draw and England lost the penalty shoot out. Ince received criticism for not taking a penalty (the crucial missed kick from ] was England's sixth) and for spending the whole shoot out sitting down in the centre circle with ] with their backs to goal.


===Liverpool===
Another new England coach came on the scene in ] and Ince kept his place for the next six internationals, which included five crucial qualifiers for the ] in France. England won four of them but lost 1-0 at home to ]. During the first of these qualifiers against ] in ], a famous photograph of Ince was taken as he tried to climb a wall at the ], only for Gascoigne to pull his ] ] down, revealing Ince's bare ]s in front of an army of ]s.
In July 1997, Ince returned to England, joining Manchester United's rivals ]. His new club's fans were divided over his links to United.<ref name=belfast>{{cite news |title=On This Day in 1997: Former Man Utd midfielder Paul Ince signs for Liverpool |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/on-this-day-in-1997-former-man-utd-midfielder-paul-ince-signs-for-liverpool-39377976.html |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=17 July 2020}}</ref> In his first season at ], he equalised in a 1–1 ] draw at home to ] on 23 February 1998,<ref>{{cite news |title=Honours shared in Merseyside derby |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/59484.stm |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 February 1998}}</ref> and on 6 May he scored twice in a 4–0 win over newly crowned league champions Arsenal to secure third place.<ref>{{cite news |title=Liverpool blitz new champions; Liverpool 4 Arsenal 0. |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Liverpool+blitz+new+champions%3B+Liverpool+4+Arsenal+0.-a060777976 |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=The Birmingham Post |date=7 May 1998}}</ref> Almost a year to the day, he equalised in a 2–2 comeback draw against United, who nonetheless ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Old-boy Ince robs United |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/336523.stm |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 May 1999}}</ref>


According to ]'s autobiography, Ince's homophobic taunting and Le Saux's reaction during a 1997 match between Liverpool and Chelsea resulted in a long-running coolness between the two players.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article2419068.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524024131/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article2419068.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 May 2011 |work=The Times |location=London |title=How gay slurs almost wrecked my career |date=10 September 2007 |access-date=22 May 2010 }}</ref> Ince won no honours in his two seasons with Liverpool, and remarked on his teammates "I just felt they were good players, but just wanted to go out all the time, and I just thought that wasn't the way. I thought they needed that professionalism on the pitch";<ref name=belfast/> these players were dubbed the "]" by the tabloid media for their off-field issues.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Turton |first1=Jonathan |title=Were Liverpool FC's Spice Boys really as bad as their white suits suggest? |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/were-liverpool-fcs-spice-boys-11054621 |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=Liverpool Echo |date=17 March 2016}}</ref> He fell out with Liverpool manager ] in the summer of 1999, when he attempted to sign ] without consulting him.<ref name=belfast/>
Ince won his 30th England cap in May ] as England beat Poland 3-0 in ] to leave them with an opportunity to get through to the World Cup provided they could beat Moldova at Wembley and then not lose to Italy in ]. Moldova were duly dispatched 4-0 and Ince, in an incident reminiscent of ] against ] seven years earlier, started the Italy match with a white England shirt and ended it with a red one after his own blood soaked the shirt following a deep cut to his head. The game ended goalless and England had qualified.


===Middlesbrough===
==Liverpool & World Cup 1998==
Houllier put Ince on the transfer list and the 31-year-old signed for ] for £1&nbsp;million in July 1999. He was signed by his former Manchester United midfield partner ].<ref name=tees>{{cite news |last1=Vickers |first1=Anthony |title=On Reflection: For all his pugnacious petulance, Paul Ince was a fantastic player for Boro |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reflection-pugnacious-petulance-paul-ince-11949678 |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=Teesside Live |date=28 September 2016}}</ref>
By now, Ince was back in England to play his club football, having left Internazionale so that his ] Thomas, who was almost five years of age, could attend an English school. He joined ] for more than four million pounds - a move which surprised many because of the long history of rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool, and few players had ever plied their trade with both clubs during their careers.


Ince received 11, 9 and 10 yellow cards in his three respective seasons.<ref name=tees/> On 22 October 2001, in a 2–0 home win over rivals ], he was sent off for putting his hands to ]'s face.<ref>{{cite news |title=Boro sink Sunderland |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1607674.stm |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2001}}</ref> The following 10 March, he scored in a 3–0 victory against ] at the ] to put Boro into the semifinals of the FA Cup,<ref>{{cite news |title=Middlesbrough thrash Everton |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1860677.stm |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 March 2002}}</ref> but he missed the defeat to Arsenal in that round due to suspension.<ref>{{cite news |title=Arsenal break brave Boro |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1924953.stm |access-date=20 February 2022 |date=14 April 2002}}</ref>
Ince won no honours in his first season with Liverpool as his new club were in the midst of a largely unsuccessful period where they were cast as 'nearly men' and rather derogatorily, 'Spice Boys' - a term coined to describe the likes of team mates and good friends of Ince's like ], ] and ] as underacheiving playboys in the game. Ince once reportedly called for 'decorum' amongst his team mates at a festive party where strippers and players like ] were cavorting around while the paparazzi fired away. Unlike those players, Ince kept his England place for the World Cup, winning his 40th cap in the opening group game against ] in ]. England got through the group but succumbed in the second round to ], again after a penalty shoot out. This time Ince did take a penalty but saw it saved.


In July 2002, Ince left Boro after turning down a two-year contract extension, citing the long commute from his home in the northwest. He played 106 games for Boro, scoring nine goals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ince calls time on Boro career |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jul/02/newsstory.sport |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=2 July 2002}}</ref>
Ince's second season with Liverpool was again trophyless but he achieved a personal high point when he scored a late equaliser against Manchester United at ] and celebrated with some ferocity in front of the ].


===Wolverhampton Wanderers===
==Middlesbrough & Euro 2000==
In August 2002, Ince signed a one-year contract with ] side ], who had just signed his former Manchester United teammate ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ince agrees Wolves move |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/2164254.stm |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 August 2002}}</ref> In his first season outside top-flight football, he helped the team to promotion via a 3–0 win over ] in the ], assisting the second goal by ].<ref name=playoff>{{cite news |title=After 19 years and 13 days hungry Wolves tear into the top flight |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/may/27/match.sport |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=27 May 2003}}</ref>
In the summer of ], however, Liverpool coach ] told Ince he was surplus to requirements and Ince joined ] for one million pounds. Now nearly 32, Ince's career was clearly winding down, though he stayed in the England team (now run by ]) and helped them qualify for ] in Holland and ] and was named in the squad for the finals.


Ince and Irwin signed new one-year contracts to remain with Wolves for the ] season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ince, Irwin to remain with Wolverhampton |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/amp/sports/ince-irwin-to-remain-with-wolverhampton/article25287206/ |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=The Globe and Mail |agency=Bloomberg News |date=11 July 2003}}</ref> The team finished bottom and he was sent off in the last game of the season, a 2–0 loss to Tottenham at ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Wolves 0–2 Tottenham |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3696225.stm |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2004}}</ref>
In a friendly against ] prior to the finals, Ince came on as a substitute and won his 50th cap. He duly played in all three of England's group games of the tournament - winning a penalty against ] in the last game - but England lost two of three matches and were eliminated. Ince immediately retired from the England scene after 53 caps, with just those two goals against San Marino on his scoring records.


With over 100 appearances to his name, Ince signed a new contract in June 2005.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ince signs new deal with Wolves |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/4596053.stm |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 June 2005}}</ref> Through thigh problems, he missed four months between August and December.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ince nightmare over |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ince-nightmare-over-571292 |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=Daily Mirror |date=28 December 2005}}</ref>
Ince concentrated on club football thereafter, playing three seasons with Middlesbrough before he was given a free transfer in ].


In April 2006, Ince announced that he wanted to continue playing for Wolves for a further season after speaking with his friend ]. However, following Ince's failure to get the manager's job at Wolves in July 2006 on Hoddle's resignation, the newly appointed manager, ], decided not to offer Ince a new contract. Throughout his time with the club, Ince declared his intention to return, at some point in the future, as manager of Wolves.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghammail.net/sport/football/football-news/curtain-falls-on-inces-wolves-career-24624|title=Curtain falls on Ince's Wolves career|first=Birmingham|last=Live|date=26 July 2006|website=birminghammail|access-date=10 March 2019}}</ref>
==Wolves & Retirement==
Ince joined ] and duly played outside the top flight of English football (not counting his Italian sojourn) for the first time since his one brief appearance there for West Ham in 1989, prior to his move to Manchester United. That said, Ince was in the Wolves team which instantly won promotion to the Premiership in his first season there, though in ] they were relegated straight back again.


==International career==
Ince was expected to retire at the end of the ] season, however he changed his mind halfway through the season following the appointment of Glenn Hoddle as manager of Wolves. In June ] he signed a new one year contract with Wolves. In April ] he announced that he wanted to continue playing for Wolves for a further season after speaking with his close friend ]. This means that he is now scheduled to retire in 2007, at the age of 40.
Ince made his debut for the full England team on 9 September 1992 in a friendly match against ] in ], losing 1–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14829210|title=Former England captain Paul Ince criticises attitude of current crop|date=7 September 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=8 April 2019}}</ref> Ince made history during the tour of the US when, on his seventh cap against the host nation on 6 June 1993, he became England's first black captain in the absence of ] and ]. England lost 2–0.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/raheem-sterling-becomes-englands-seventh-black-captain-38189471.html|title=Raheem Sterling becomes England's seventh black captain|work=Belfast Telegraph}}</ref>


Ince's only international goals came on his 12th appearance. These were two in a 7–1 win away to ] in the final game of the unsuccessful ], on 17 November 1993.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Diamond |first1=Harry |title=Remembering the England XI that failed to reach the 1994 World Cup following San Marino result |url=https://thefootballfaithful.com/england-xi-failed-to-reach-the-1994-world-cup-following-san-marino-result/ |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=The Football Faithful |date=18 November 2021}}</ref> During ] Ince was a member of ]' England team as the midfield ball winner and got the label of "]'s ]",<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.goal.com/en/news/2274/goalcoms-top-50-english-players/2009/05/01/1239824/goalcoms-top-50-english-players-paul-ince-46 | title= Goal.com's Top 50 English Players: Paul Ince (46) | first=Gill| last=Clark| work=Goal.com| access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref> whose job was to create room for Paul Gascoigne to exploit with his natural ball skills. Though the first group game ended in a disappointing 1–1 draw at Wembley against ], England went on to defeat ] 2–0 and then met the ] and put on a display subsequently heralded as "the greatest in generations" and "the high point of the tournament for England".<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/englands-euro-96-best-xi-team-demolished-dutch/162cn2ywutvqr1pfg17hdif664 | title= England's Euro 96 best XI? The team that demolished the Dutch | first=Ryan| last=Kelly| work=Goal.com| date=20 May 2020 | access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref> Ince was fouled for a penalty which gave England the lead and helped them towards a 4–1 win; he also picked up a yellow card which rendered him unavailable for the quarter-final against Spain, so David Platt replaced him in a match England won in a ].<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/euro-96-england-spain-complete-history-penalty-shootout-quarter-final-stuart-pearce-david-seaman | title= Euro 96, the complete history – part five: England overcome shootout fear | first=Andrew| last=Murray| work=FourFourTwo| date=22 May 2020 | access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref>
In a vote for ] in ], Ince finished in 95th place, just above ] and ].


Venables put Ince back in the side for the semifinal against ], replacing the suspended ] as England switched systems to a back three, accommodating Ince in central midfield with Paul Gascoigne and David Platt. Ince was part of an England team that played well but the match rarely spent much time as one-way traffic in either direction,<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/euro-96-complete-history-england-germany-semi-final-penalty-shootout-alan-shearer-gareth-southgate | title= Euro 96, the complete history – part six: England's dream dies in Germany semi-final shootout | first=Gary| last=Parkinson| quote=While each team had spells in command, the semi-final rarely spent much time as one-way traffic in either direction | work=FourFourTwo | date=28 May 2020 | access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref> and it finished a 1–1 draw. England lost the penalty shoot-out when ] missed the sixth England penalty. Ince, along with fellow midfielders ] and ] and captain Tony Adams, received criticism for not taking a penalty before Southgate, and Ince also sat with his back to the action for the whole time.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/world-cup/2018/redemption-song-gareth-southgate-semi-finals-and-football-coming-home_sto6839357/story.shtml | title= Redemption Song? Gareth Southgate, semi-finals and football coming home | first=Mike| last=Gibbons| work=Eurosport | date=9 July 2018 | access-date=8 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/sport/comparing-the-euro-1996-team-with-the-2016-squad/75290 | title= Tale of the tape: England '96 VS England '16 | first=Nick| last=Pope| work=] | access-date=8 April 2019}}</ref>
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Ince, in an incident reminiscent of ] seven years earlier, started a crucial ] qualifier away to the Italy on 11 October 1997 with a white England shirt and ended it with a red one after his own blood soaked the shirt following a deep cut to his head. The game ended goalless and England had qualified.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/11500752/Italy-v-England-1997-When-Paul-Ince-led-Three-Lions-to-their-finest-hour.html|title=Italy v England, 1997 - When Paul Ince led Three Lions to their finest hour|work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> He was selected in the England squad for the finals in France. England got through the group but succumbed in the second round to ], again after a penalty shoot-out. This time Ince did take a penalty but saw it saved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1998/jul/01/worldcup2006.sport|title=Penalties sink England again|first=David|last=Lacey|date=1 July 1998|access-date=8 April 2019|website=The Guardian}}</ref>
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Ince was sent off in a 2–1 loss against ] in England's first qualifying match for ] on 5 September 1998.<ref>{{cite news |title=Awful England suffer Stockholm shocker |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/164606.stm |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 September 1998}}</ref> In his absence, manager ] chose ] in central midfield.<ref>{{cite news |title=Keegan must find man for Batty's job |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/keegan-must-find-man-for-batty-s-job-1.165964 |access-date=20 February 2022 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=23 March 1999}}</ref> When Batty himself was sent off against ],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lacey |first1=David |title=Batty off as England await fate |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/sep/09/newsstory.sport1 |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=9 September 1999}}</ref> Ince returned for the playoff against ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Football: BORO TOP ENGLAND SAYS INCE. |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+BORO+TOP+ENGLAND+SAYS+INCE.-a060333258 |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=Daily Mirror |date=15 October 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ince shows some heart in praise of Ferguson Scotland's young pretender receives the plaudits from an old master |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12205838.ince-shows-some-heart-in-praise-of-ferguson-scotlands-young-pretender-receives-the-plaudits-from-an-old-master/ |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=The Herald |date=19 November 1999}}</ref>
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In a warm up match for Euro 2000 against ], Ince came on as a substitute and won his 50th cap, and was subsequently named in the 22-man squad for the tournament.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/teams/england/772145.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031030556/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/euro2000/teams/england/772145.stm |archive-date=31 October 2019 |title=Keegan names Euro 2000 squad |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=1 June 2000 |access-date=16 May 2020}}</ref> He duly played in all three of England's group games of the tournament – winning a penalty against ] in the last game<ref>{{cite news |title=Late penalty breaks English hearts |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/teams/england/799159.stm |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 June 2000}}</ref> – but England lost two of three matches and were eliminated. He publicly said that he would not follow ] into international retirement, given that he did not want to end his England career on a low note.<ref>{{cite news |title=Euro 2000: Ince dismisses suggestions of international retirement |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2000/0625/150029-euro20004/ |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=RTÉ |date=25 June 2000}}</ref>
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==Style of play==
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A tenacious, athletic, and hard-working player, Ince was known for his tireless running and ability to provide defensive support to his team in midfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1997/03/24/ince-instancabile.html|title=Ince Instancabile|trans-title=Tireless Ince|publisher=La Repubblica|language=it|date=24 March 1997|access-date=9 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1997/05/07/tante-assenze-ma-basta-un-gol.html|title=Tante assenze ma basta un gol|trans-title=Many absences but one goal suffices|publisher=La Repubblica|language=it|author1=Gianni Mura|date=7 May 1997|access-date=9 November 2017}}</ref>

==Managerial career==
===Swindon Town (player-coach)===
Ince signed a one-year contract with ] as a player/coach on 31 August 2006. Swindon beat the likes of ] and ] for his signature. A key factor in the transfer was Ince's long standing friendship with Town manager ], who had played alongside him in the England team during the 1990s.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mashiter |first1=Nick |title=Ince is an inspiration |url=https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/902301.ince-inspiration/ |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=Gazette & Herald |date=31 August 2006}}</ref> He made his first start for Swindon in his second game, the 2–1 victory over ] on 12 September, winning a penalty.<ref>{{cite news |title=Swindon 2–1 MK Dons |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/5330236.stm |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 September 2006}}</ref> Having played one more game, he ended his contract by mutual consent on 6 October, citing long travel times from his home in ]. He said he would remain for his coaching badges.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ince calls time on Swindon stay |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/oct/04/newsstory.swindon |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=4 October 2006}}</ref>

===Macclesfield Town===
On 23 October 2006, Ince was confirmed as the new player-manager of ] in succession to ]. However, he was ineligible to play for the Silkmen until January when the transfer window opened, as Swindon Town still held his registration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/macclesfield_town/6056450.stm |title=Macclesfield appoint Ince as boss |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 October 2006}}</ref> He joined Macclesfield with the club bottom of ], seven points off their nearest rivals. He then revived confidence and after a 3–0 win against Chester they managed to climb off the bottom of the table. They subsequently avoided relegation, albeit on the last day of the season. On 4 January 2007 Ince was named as League Two Manager of the Month for December. Ince retired as a player while at Macclesfield, where he only made one league appearance, as an 85th-minute substitute for ] in a 1–1 home draw with ] on 5 May that saved the team from relegation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Macclesfield 1–1 Notts County |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6602927.stm |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 May 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2008/05/23/708170/profile-ince-perfect |title=Profile: Ince Perfect? |first=David |last=Powter | work=Goal.com |access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref>

===Milton Keynes Dons===
Ince was unveiled as the new ] manager along with his assistant ] and fitness coach Duncan Russell on 25 June 2007.<ref name="Ince unveiled as new MK Dons boss">{{cite news |title=Ince unveiled as new MK Dons boss |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wimbledon/6236950.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 June 2007 |access-date=25 June 2007 }}</ref> The Dons reached the top of their Division in September 2007<ref name="Dons top League 2 September">{{cite news |title=Video: Morecambe 0–1 MK Dons |url=http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/Video-Morecambe-01-MK-Dons.3244907.jp |work=Milton Keynes Citizen |date=29 September 2007 |access-date=27 March 2008 }}</ref> and other clubs began to take a serious interest. In October and November 2007, he denied rumours that he was being linked with managerless Premier League teams ],<ref name="Ince to Wigan rumours denied">{{cite news |title=Ince to Wigan rumours denied |url=http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/Ince-to-Wigan-rumours-denied.3485051.jp |work=Milton Keynes Citizen |date=14 November 2007 |access-date=14 November 2007 }}</ref> ]<ref name="Dons deny Derby link despite odds slashing">{{cite news |title=Dons deny Derby link despite odds slashing |url=http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/Dons-deny-Derby-link-despite.3523413.jp |work=Milton Keynes Citizen |date=26 November 2007 |access-date=26 November 2007 }}</ref> and Championship team ].<ref name="Ince distances himself from speculation">{{cite news |title=Ince distances himself from speculation |url=http://www.pinkun.com/content/ncfc/story.aspx?brand=PINKUNOnline&category=Norwich&tBrand=PinkUnOnline&tCategory=Norwich&itemid=NOED15%20Oct%202007%2013%3A23%3A55%3A127 |publisher=Archant |date=15 October 2007 |access-date=15 October 2007 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Ince was named as League Two Manager of the Month in October and December 2007, and again in April 2008.<ref name="Boss Ince wins monthly accolade ">{{cite news |title=Boss Ince wins monthly accolade |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7071288.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 November 2007 |access-date=25 January 2008 }}</ref><ref name="MK Dons boss earns December prize">{{cite news |title=MK Dons boss earns December prize |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wimbledon/7169833.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 January 2008 |access-date=25 January 2008 }}</ref><ref name="Ince wins final League Two award">{{cite news |title=Ince wins final League Two award |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wimbledon/7391087.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2008 |access-date=12 May 2008 }}</ref>

Ince's first silverware as manager came in the ] final at ] on 30 March 2008, with MK Dons defeating ] 2–0.<ref name=grimsby>{{cite news |last1=Mitchener |first1=Mark |title=Grimsby 0–2 MK Dons |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7309420.stm |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 March 2008}}</ref> He then secured the Dons' return to ] on 19 April after they beat ] 3–2.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stockport 2–3 MK Dons |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7344147.stm |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 April 2008}}</ref> A week later, the Dons became League Two champions after they beat ] 2–1.<ref name=bradford>{{cite news |title=Bradford 1–2 MK Dons |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7356088.stm |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 April 2008}}</ref>

===Blackburn Rovers===
In the close-season it was speculated that Ince had been contacted by ] in their search to appoint a new manager, something that Ince himself denied.<ref name="Blackburn link flattering - Ince ">{{cite news |title=Blackburn link flattering – Ince |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/7448118.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 June 2008 |access-date=16 December 2008 }}</ref> However, the ] reported that Ince would be named as Blackburn manager by the end of the week of 19 June.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/7463294.stm |title=Ince set to become Blackburn boss |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 June 2008 |access-date=16 December 2008 }}</ref> He was appointed on 22 June and became the first black British manager in England's top division.<ref name=blackmanager>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/7457696.stm |title=Blackburn appoint Ince as manager |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 June 2008 |access-date=16 December 2008 }}</ref> On the first day of the 2008–09 ] season, Blackburn won 3–2 against ] at ] on 16 August.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McNulty |first1=Phil |title=Everton 2–3 Blackburn Rovers |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7551166.stm |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 August 2008}}</ref> Ince's 2008 summer signings included England international goalkeeper ], ] (Loan), ], ] (Loan), ], ] and ], spending over £10&nbsp;million on Robinson, Grella and Andrews.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.soccernews.com/2008-2009-transfer-news/english-premier-league-transfers-2008-2009/ |title=English Premier League Transfers – 2008–2009 |publisher=Soccernews.com |access-date=19 June 2009 }}</ref>

After winning just three games in 17, Ince was sacked on 16 December 2008 after just six months in charge.<ref name="Lowly Blackburn sack boss Ince">{{cite news |title=Lowly Blackburn sack boss Ince |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/7784967.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 December 2008 |access-date=16 December 2008 }}</ref> He had been with Blackburn only 177 days, one of the shortest reigns of a Premier League manager.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/881176-english-premier-league-20-worst-managers-in-league-history|title=English Premier League: 20 Worst Managers in League History|first=Vijay|last=Murali|website=Bleacher Report}}</ref> Blackburn fans had been demanding his removal following a 5–3 loss to ] at ] in the ] on 3 December. At the game, the crowd could be heard chanting "You don't know what you're doing" and "We want Incey out" as well as singing the name of their former manager ].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/dec/04/blackburn-carlingcup |title=Blackburn fans demand Ince's head as Tevez rips into Rovers |work=The Guardian |date=4 December 2008 |access-date=16 December 2008 |location=London |first=Daniel |last=Taylor }}</ref>

===Return to Milton Keynes Dons===
On 3 July 2009, Ince signed again for ] on a two-year deal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ince Makes Dons Return |url=http://www.mkdons.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10420~1712971,00.html |work=mkdons.com |publisher=Milton Keynes Dons |date=3 July 2009 |access-date=4 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706131623/http://www.mkdons.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10420~1712971,00.html |archive-date=6 July 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/milton_keynes_dons/8133652.stm |title=Ince reappointed as MK Dons boss |date=3 July 2009 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=4 July 2009 }}</ref> During Ince's second spell the Dons were less successful, finishing in 13th place in League One. On 16 April 2010, he announced that he would leave the job a year early, at the end of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/mk-dons/7599061/Paul-Ince-announces-that-he-will-leave-MK-Dons-at-the-end-of-the-season.html|title=Paul Ince announces that he will leave MK Dons at the end of the season|first=Bob|last=Williams|date=16 April 2010|access-date=10 March 2019|website=telegraph.co.uk}}</ref>

===Notts County===
Ince returned to management on 28 October 2010, signing a three-year deal with Notts County.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10426~2198587,00.html |title=Notts County confirm Paul Ince as manager |work=Notts county official site |access-date=28 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029233551/http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10426~2198587,00.html |archive-date=29 October 2010 }}</ref> On 3 April 2011 he left the club by mutual consent after a run of five successive defeats left them in 19th, two points above the relegation zone.<ref>{{cite news |title=Paul Ince leaves Notts County 'by mutual consent' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/apr/03/paul-ince-notts-county-departure |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=3 April 2011}}</ref>

===Blackpool===
On 18 February 2013, ] appointed Ince as manager on a one-year rolling contract. He had been watching the team, for which his son ] played, in person for over a year.<ref> – BBC Sport, 18 February 2013</ref> Ince took charge of his first match as Blackpool manager on 20 February 2013, a 2–0 defeat against ] at ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Leeds 2–0 Blackpool |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21448858 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 February 2013 |access-date=21 February 2013 }}</ref> He earned his first win on 9 March 2013, a 2–1 victory against ] at ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Watford 1–2 Blackpool |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21639301 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 March 2013 |access-date=9 March 2013 }}</ref>

Under Ince, Blackpool made their best-ever start to a league season. Their victory at ] on 14 September 2013 gave them 16 points out of a possible 18, with five wins and a draw in their first six games.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bournemouth 1-2 Blackpool |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23999380 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=14 September 2013 |access-date=14 September 2013 }}</ref> Following the game at Bournemouth, Ince was given a five-match stadium ban by ] for his conduct towards a match official in the tunnel after the game. The FA concluded that his behaviour had constituted violent conduct. He was also fined £4,000.<ref name="Stadium Ban">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/24158903 |title=Paul Ince: Blackpool manager handed five-match stadium ban |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 October 2013 |access-date=22 January 2014 }}</ref> Ince left Blackpool on 21 January 2014, after less than a year in charge, becoming their fourth-shortest-serving manager in their history (40 league games). Under his management, Blackpool won 12 out of 42 games and had not won since 30 November 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25828840 |title=Paul Ince: Blackpool boss sacked after less than a year in charge |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 January 2014 |access-date=21 January 2014 }}</ref>

=== Reading ===
On 19 February 2022, Ince and ] were announced as interim managers of ] side ].<ref name="RFC Pauno out">{{cite web|title=Club statement {{!}} Royals part company with Veljko Paunovic by mutual consent |url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2022/february/19/club-statement---royals-part-company-with-veljko-paunovi--by-mutual-consent/ |access-date=19 February 2022 |publisher=Reading F.C. |date=19 February 2022}}</ref> On his debut three days later, the team won 2–1 at home to ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Reading 2–1 Birmingham City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60383805 |access-date=2 March 2022 |website=BBC Sport |date=22 February 2022}}</ref> Despite losing 3–0 to ] on 23 April, Ince guided Reading to safety with two games left to play, ensuring Championship football for the club in the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61124794|title=Hull City 3–0 Reading|website=BBC Sport|date=23 April 2022}}</ref> In May 2022, Ince was given the manager's job on a permanent basis along with assistant ] who was also given a permanent role.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61472471|title=Ince gets Reading job on permanent basis|website=BBC Sport|date=16 May 2022}}</ref>

On 11 April 2023, Ince was sacked by Reading. At the time Reading were in 22nd in the Championship and had not won in their previous eight games.<ref name="BBC 65239073">{{cite news |title=Relegation-threatened Reading sack manager Ince |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65239073 |access-date=11 April 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=11 April 2023}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Ince's son, ], has played for the ] and for Ince's former club ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/origin?cameFrom=news/story%3Fid%3D537648%26|title=Paul Ince's son Thomas handed Liverpool contract|access-date=10 March 2019|archive-date=19 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019040554/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/origin?cameFrom=news/story%3Fid=537648&|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 1 November 2010, Ince put through a two-month loan deal to bring Tom to Notts County and on 3 August 2011 Tom signed a two-year contract with ].<ref name=TomNCFC>{{cite news |last=Prentice |first=David |title=Thomas Ince joins dad Paul at Notts County |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/11/02/thomas-ince-joins-dad-paul-at-notts-county-100252-27584103/ |access-date=12 July 2012 |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |date=2 November 2010 }}</ref><ref name=InceBFC>{{cite news |title=Thomas Ince leaves Liverpool FC to join Blackpool on two-year deal |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2011/08/04/thomas-ince-leaves-liverpool-fc-to-join-blackpool-on-two-year-deal-100252-29178471/ |access-date=12 July 2012 |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |date=4 August 2011 }}</ref> The two were reunited in February 2022 when Ince became interim manager of Reading.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Peter |title=Paul Ince joins son Tom on day of surprises at Reading |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/paul-ince-reading-tom-manager-6689946 |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=19 February 2022}}</ref>

Ince is the uncle of singer ] and cousin to footballer ] and Trinidadian goalkeeper ].<ref name=Wiseman>{{cite news |last=Gritt |first=Emma |title=JLS star Marvin Humes messed up proposal to Rochelle Wiseman |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/showbiz/890769-jls-star-marvin-humes-messed-up-proposal-to-rochelle-wiseman |access-date=12 July 2012 |newspaper=metro.co.uk |date=19 February 2012 }}</ref><ref name=Benn>{{cite web |title=Paul Ince |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/All-Teams/Players/I/Paul-Ince |publisher=www.thefa.com |access-date=12 July 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ttfootballhistory.com/node/173 |title=Another one joins the race |publisher=Trinidad and Tobago Football Online |date=3 September 1999 |access-date=15 July 2012 |archive-date=17 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717161606/https://www.ttfootballhistory.com/node/173 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name="nft">{{NFT player|10332|accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stretfordend.co.uk/playermenu/ince.html |title=The website of dreams |access-date=12 November 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.11v11.com/api/player/354 |title=Paul Ince – 11 vs. 11 Profile |access-date=12 November 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/total_games_per_season.asp?Player_id=330 |title=Paul Ince – lfchistory.net Profile |access-date=13 November 2008 |archive-date=21 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221095232/http://www.lfchistory.net/total_games_per_season.asp?Player_id=330 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes ], ]}}
!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes ]}}
!colspan="2"|Europe
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="5"|]
|]
|]
|10||1||2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=FMC|Appearance(s) in ]}}||0||13||1
|-
|]
|First Division
|28||3||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=FMC}}||0||32||3
|-
|]
|First Division
|33||3||7||1||7||3||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=FMC}}||1||49||8
|-
|]
|]
|1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!72!!7!!10!!1!!9!!3!!colspan="2"|—!!4!!1!!95!!12
|-
|rowspan="7"|]
|]
|First Division
|26||0||7||0||3||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||36||2
|-
|]
|First Division
|31||3||2||0||6||0||7{{efn|name=CWC|Appearances in ]}}||0||1{{efn|name=CS|Appearance in ]}}||0||47||3
|-
|]
|First Division
|33||3||3||0||7||0||3{{efn|name=CWC}}||0||1{{efn|name=ESC|Appearances in ]}}||0||47||3
|-
|]
|]
|41||5||2||0||3||0||1{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in ]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||47||5
|-
|]
|Premier League
|39||8||7||1||5||0||4{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in ]}}||0||1{{efn|name=CS}}||0||56||9
|-
|]
|Premier League
|36||5||6||0||0||0||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|name=CS}}||1||48||6
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!206!!24!!27!!1!!24!!2!!20!!0!!4!!1!!281!!28
|-
|rowspan="3"|]
|]
|]
|30||3||5||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||35||3
|-
|]
|Serie A
|24||7||4||2||colspan="2"|—||10{{efn|name=UC}}||1||colspan="2"|—||38||10
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!54!!10!!9!!2!!colspan="2"|—!!10!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!73!!13
|-
|rowspan="3"|]
|]
|Premier League
|31||8||1||0||4||0||4{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan="2"|—||40||8
|-
|]
|Premier League
|34||6||2||1||2||1||3{{efn|name=UC}}||1||colspan="2"|—||41||9
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!65!!14!!3!!1!!6!!1!!7!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!81!!17
|-
|rowspan="4"|]
|]
|Premier League
|32||3||0||0||3||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||35||4
|-
|]
|Premier League
|30||2||3||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||35||2
|-
|]
|Premier League
|31||2||4||1||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||36||3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!93!!7!!7!!1!!6!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!106!!9
|-
|rowspan="5"|]
|]
|First Division
|37||2||3||1||2||0||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|name=PO|Appearances in ] play-offs}}||0||45||3
|-
|]
|Premier League
|32||2||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||35||2
|-
|]
|]
|28||3||2||0||1||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||31||4
|-
|]
|Championship
|18||3||2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||20||3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!115!!10!!8!!1!!5!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!3!!0!!131!!12
|-
||]
|]
|]
|3||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||3||0
|-
||]
|]
|League Two
|1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0
|-
!colspan=3|Total
!609!!72!!64!!7!!50!!8!!37!!2!!11!!2!!771!!91
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="nft"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/ince-intl.html|title=Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince - International Appearances|website=]|access-date=10 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="9"|]
|1992||3||0
|-
|1993||9||2
|-
|1994||3||0
|-
|1995||1||0
|-
|1996||10||0
|-
|1997||9||0
|-
|1998||9||0
|-
|1999||4||0
|-
|2000||5||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!53!!2
|}

:''Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ince goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Paul Ince
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || rowspan=2|17 November 1993 || rowspan=2|], Bologna, Italy || rowspan=2|{{fb|SMR|1862}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center" rowspan=2|7–1 || rowspan=2|]
|-
| align="center"|2 || align="center"|5–1
|}

==Managerial statistics==
{{updated|match played 10 April 2023}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=2053|title=Paul Ince &#124; Latest Betting Odds &#124; Soccer Base|website=www.soccerbase.com}}</ref>

{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center"
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
|-
!rowspan=2|Team
!rowspan=2|From
!rowspan=2|To
!colspan=5|Record
|-
!{{abbr|P|Matches played}}||{{abbr|W|Matches won}}||{{abbr|D|Matches drawn}}||{{abbr|L|Matches lost}}||{{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}}
|-
|align=left|]
|align=left|23 October 2006
|align=left|25 June 2007
{{WDL|35|14|8|13|decimals=1}}
|-
|align=left|]
|align=left|25 June 2007
|align=left|21 June 2008
{{WDL|55|33|12|10|decimals=1}}
|-
|align=left|]
|align=left|21 June 2008
|align=left|16 December 2008
{{WDL|21|6|4|11|decimals=1}}
|-
|align=left|]
|align=left|6 July 2009
|align=left|8 May 2010
{{WDL|56|23|9|24|decimals=1}}
|-
|align=left|]
|align=left|27 October 2010
|align=left|3 April 2011
{{WDL|29|10|6|13|decimals=1}}
|-
|align=left|]
|align=left|18 February 2013
|align=left|21 January 2014
{{WDL|42|12|15|15|decimals=1}}
|-
|align=left|]
|align=left|20 February 2022
|align=left|11 April 2023
{{WDL|58|18|11|29|decimals=1}}
|-
!colspan=3|Total
{{WDLtot|296|116|65|115|decimals=1}}
|}

==Honours==
===As a player===
'''Manchester United'''
*]: ], ]<ref name=PremProfile>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/326/Paul-Ince/overview |title=Paul Ince: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=9 February 2020}}</ref>
*]: ], ]<ref name=PlanetF>{{cite web|url=https://www.planetfootball.com/nostalgia/paul-ince-the-man-utd-side-of-1994-was-better-than-the-treble-winners|title=Paul Ince: The Man Utd side of 1994 was better than the Treble winners|website=PlanetFootball|accessdate=8 April 2024}}</ref>
*]: ]<ref name=PlanetF />
*]: ] (shared), ],<ref>{{cite news |title=It's Gunner be all Wright |first=Bob |last=Harris |page=54 |newspaper=Daily Mirror|location=London |date=8 August 1993}}</ref> ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-charity-shield-ince-quells-the-blackburn-resistance-seven-players-booked-under-the-new-rules-as-understrength-rovers-succumb-to-united-s-class-1383553.html|title=Charity Shield: Ince quells the Blackburn resistance: Seven players booked under the new rules as under-strength Rovers succumb to United's class|website=The Independent|accessdate=9 April 2024}}</ref>
*]: ]<ref name=PlanetF />
*]: ]<ref name=PlanetF />

'''Wolverhampton Wanderers'''
*]: ]<ref name=playoff/>

'''England'''
*]: ]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Campbell |first1=Paul |last2=Lacey |first2=David |name-list-style=amp |date=25 Jun 2013 |title=From the Vault: Recalling How England Won Le Tournoi de France in 1997 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/jun/25/vault-england-le-tournoi-france-1997 |website=] |location=London |access-date=3 December 2022}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
*]: ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Records and honours: Awards |url=https://www.whufc.com/club/history/records-and-honours/hammer-of-the-year |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |access-date=18 April 2018}}</ref>
*]: ]<ref name="Ganley 2022">{{cite web | last=Ganley | first=Joe | title=All of our Player of the Year winners | website=Manchester United | date=4 June 2022 | url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/every-winner-of-the-sir-matt-busby-player-of-the-year-award-for-manchester-united | access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref>
*]: ]<ref name=PremProfile/>
*]: ],<ref name=Lynch149>{{cite book |last=Lynch |title=The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes |page=149}}</ref> ],<ref name=Lynch150>{{cite book |last=Lynch |title=The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes |page=150}}</ref> ]<ref>{{cite book |last=Lynch |title=The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes |page=150}}</ref>
*Domestic Team of the Decade – ] (1992–93 to 2001–02)<ref name=Telegraph15Apr03Elite>{{Cite news
|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2399684/The-Premiership-elite-selection-1993-2003.html
|title=The Premiership elite selection 1993–2003
|work=The Telegraph
|date=15 April 2003
|access-date=2009-10-02
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112234832/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2399684/The-Premiership-elite-selection-1993-2003.html
|archive-date= 12 November 2012
|location=London
|first=Christopher
|last=Davies
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

===As a manager===
'''Milton Keynes Dons'''
*]: ]<ref name=bradford/>
*]: ]<ref name=grimsby/>

'''Individual'''
*]: August 2013<ref>{{cite web |title=Ince and Vaughan named Manager and Player of the Month |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11728/8908359/paul-ince-and-james-vaughan-win-manager-and-player-of-the-month-prizes |publisher=Sky Sports |date=6 September 2013 |access-date=22 January 2014 }}</ref>
*]: December 2006, October 2007, December 2007, April 2008<ref>{{cite news |url=https://leaguemanagers.com/managers/paul-ince/ |title=Paul Ince |publisher=LMA |access-date=4 October 2022 |archive-date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004154602/https://leaguemanagers.com/managers/paul-ince/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*
* {{Soccerbase}}
* {{Soccerbase manager|id=2053}}
* {{Soccerway coach|paul-emerson-carlyle-ince/104782}}
* {{FIFA player}}
* {{UEFA player}}
* {{Englandstats}}

{{Navboxes
| title = England squads
| bg = white
| fg = #0B0B3F
| bordercolor = #0B0B3F
| list1 =
{{England squad UEFA Euro 1996}}
{{England squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
{{England squad UEFA Euro 2000}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 =
{{West Ham United F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year}}
{{1992–93 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{1993–94 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{1994–95 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{English Football Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Managerial positions
| list1 =
{{Macclesfield Town F.C. managers}}
{{Milton Keynes Dons F.C. managers}}
{{Blackburn Rovers F.C. managers}}
{{Notts County F.C. managers}}
{{Blackpool F.C. managers}}
{{Reading F.C. managers}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ince, Paul}}
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Latest revision as of 14:06, 11 December 2024

English association football player (born 1967)

Paul Ince
Ince in 2006
Personal information
Full name Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince
Date of birth (1967-10-21) 21 October 1967 (age 57)
Place of birth Ilford, London, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1982–1986 West Ham United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1986–1989 West Ham United 72 (7)
1989–1995 Manchester United 206 (25)
1995–1997 Inter Milan 54 (10)
1997–1999 Liverpool 65 (14)
1999–2002 Middlesbrough 93 (7)
2002–2006 Wolverhampton Wanderers 115 (10)
2006 Swindon Town 3 (0)
2007 Macclesfield Town 1 (0)
Total 609 (73)
International career
1989 England U21 2 (0)
1992 England B 1 (0)
1992–2000 England 53 (2)
Managerial career
2006–2007 Macclesfield Town
2007–2008 Milton Keynes Dons
2008 Blackburn Rovers
2009–2010 Milton Keynes Dons
2010–2011 Notts County
2013–2014 Blackpool
2022–2023 Reading
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince (/ɪns/; born 21 October 1967) is an English professional football manager and former player who was most recently manager of Reading. A midfielder, Ince played professionally from 1986 to 2007, starting his career with West Ham United and later representing Manchester United, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Swindon Town and Macclesfield Town in England, as well as Inter Milan in Italy. With a combined total of 271 league appearances for the two, Ince is one of the few players, especially in the Premier League era, to have represented both of arch rivals Liverpool and Manchester United.

Ince spent the majority of his playing career at the highest level; after breaking through with his then-Second Division boyhood club West Ham United, he joined Manchester United in 1989, where he would win the Premier League twice, the FA Cup twice and the Football League Cup once during his six-year spell at Old Trafford. After falling out with manager Alex Ferguson, Ince was sold to Inter Milan of Serie A in 1995, where he was a runner-up in the 1997 UEFA Cup.

After two years in Italy, Ince returned to the Premier League with Liverpool, later also representing Middlesbrough and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the top flight before beginning to move into coaching in the mid-2000s. After a spell as player-coach of Swindon, he retired from playing while player-manager of Macclesfield Town in 2007. He went on to manage Milton Keynes Dons (twice), Blackburn Rovers, Notts County and, after an almost-two-year break, Blackpool.

Ince was capped 53 times by the England national team, scoring two goals. He played at UEFA Euro 1996, the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000, and became the first black player to captain England. His son Tom is also a footballer.

Club career

West Ham United

Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince was born in Ilford, Greater London. He grew up as a West Ham United supporter. He was spotted playing, aged 12, by West Ham manager John Lyall around the time that the club was in the Second Division and achieved a surprise FA Cup final triumph over Arsenal.

Ince signed for the Hammers as a trainee, aged 14. Lyall helped Ince through troubled school times eventually signing him as a YTS trainee, on leaving school, in 1984. He is a product of the West Ham youth team and made his debut in English football on 30 November 1986 against Newcastle United in the First Division. He became a regular player in 1987–88, proving himself to have all-round qualities of pace, stamina, uncompromising tackling and good passing ability. He also packed a powerful shot, and was awarded with England under-21 honours to go with the youth caps he acquired as an apprentice. He firmly established himself as the successor in West Ham's midfield for the veteran Billy Bonds, who retired at the end of the 1987–88 season. Unfortunately for Ince, West Ham were not enjoying one of their best spells when he broke into the team. Despite having won the FA Cup in 1980 and finished third in the league in 1986, they had failed to sustain their challenge for major honours and finished 15th in 1987 and 16th in 1988, and worse was to follow.

In August 1988, an eventful season for Ince began. In a struggling West Ham side, he shot to national recognition with two stunning goals in a shock 4–1 win over defending league champions Liverpool in the League Cup, and continued to score goals as the Hammers reached the semi-finals while having real trouble finding any form in the League. West Ham lost to Luton Town in the semi-finals and, despite frequent displays of individual brilliance from Ince, were relegated at the end of the season, a disappointment which cost manager John Lyall his job after 15 years at the helm. West Ham's relegation sparked inevitable speculation that Ince would be sold to a First Division club, with Manchester United being among the clubs being linked to Ince's signature.

Manchester United

Ince in 1991

Ince played just once in the Second Division the following season before completing a highly controversial transfer to Manchester United for £1 million. Ince had been photographed in a Manchester United kit long before the transfer was complete, which appeared in the Daily Express. Ince received abuse from West Ham United fans for many years afterwards. The initial move was postponed after he failed a medical, but was quickly completed on 14 September 1989 after he later received the all-clear.

In an article in Four Four Two magazine, Ince said:

"I spoke to Alex Ferguson and the deal was close to being done. I then went on holiday, and my agent at the time, Ambrose Mendy, said it wasn't worth me coming back to do a picture in a United shirt when the deal was completed, so I should do one before I left, and it would be released when the deal was announced. Lawrence Luster of the Daily Star took the picture and put in the library. Soon after, their sister paper, the Daily Express, were looking for a picture of me playing for West Ham, and found the one of me in the United shirt in the pile. They published it and all hell broke loose. "I came back from holiday to discover West Ham fans were going mad. It wasn't really my fault. I was only a kid, I did what my agent told me to do, then took all the crap for it."

Ince eventually made his Manchester United debut in a 5–1 win over Millwall, although his next game for United came in a 5–1 Manchester derby defeat by Manchester City. Ince became a strong presence in the United midfield alongside Bryan Robson and Neil Webb, although the first season of this midfield partnership saw Robson and in particular Webb miss many games due to injury. Ince found himself partnering Webb in the centre of the United midfield for most of the 1990–91 season, with Robson absent from the close season until just before Christmas due to injury, with Mike Phelan appearing during Robson's absence.

United won the FA Cup in his first season, defeating Crystal Palace 1–0 in a replay at Wembley after initially drawing 3–3. In both of these games, Ince was selected at right-back in favour of Viv Anderson, with his favoured central midfield position being occupied by Mike Phelan. Ince was man of the match for the replay.

Over the next four seasons, Robson's United career gradually wound down until he finally left to manage Middlesbrough in 1994. During this time, Ince found himself playing alongside several other different central midfielders, including Mike Phelan, Neil Webb and Darren Ferguson. The arrival of striker Eric Cantona in November 1992 saw Brian McClair become Ince's regular central midfield partner until the arrival of Roy Keane the following season.

Meanwhile, Ince became United's key midfielder, with snapping tackles, raking passes and some tremendously hit shots, though he was not too prolific a goalscorer. One of his best games came in February 1994, when he scored in a 2–2 away draw with former club West Ham in the Premier League.

Ince won his second winners' medal when United defeated Barcelona in the final of the European Cup Winners Cup in Rotterdam in 1991 and received his third another year later when United beat Nottingham Forest in the 1992 League Cup final.

The next year, Manchester United were competing in the inaugural Premier League season with Ince and his best friend at the time, Ryan Giggs at the fore and part of a team that included Mark Hughes, Eric Cantona, Peter Schmeichel, Andrei Kanchelskis, Steve Bruce and Denis Irwin. Seeking a first League title for 26 years, United won it and Ince completed his domestic medal set just four years after joining the club.

Manchester United continued to dominate the domestic game in 1993–94, enjoying an almost unbroken lead of the Premier League throughout the season, and Ince was the midfield general in the side which won the "double" of league and FA Cup in 1994. A year later and Ince suffered more of the all too familiar chants of "Judas" when he and Manchester United went to West Ham on the last day of the season, needing a win to retain their Premier League crown. They could only draw the game and Blackburn Rovers took the title. Ince's next game saw them lose the FA Cup final to Everton, leaving United without a major trophy for the first time in six seasons. During that season, his central midfield partner Roy Keane had missed 17 of United's 42 league games due to injury, meaning that Ince often found himself partnered with Brian McClair and – particularly towards the end of the season – the 20-year-old Nicky Butt.

In June 1995, Ferguson sold Ince to Inter Milan for £7.5 million – at the time one of the biggest fees involving an English club. Ferguson had long sustained a tempestuous relationship with Ince, labelling him a "bottler" and a "big-time Charlie" (a statement Ferguson said later he regretted). Ince's nickname, The Guvnor, also rankled with Ferguson, who once berated him by saying, "There's only one guvnor around here, Incey, and it ain't you". Many fans saw this as the prime reason for Ince being sold, rather than on footballing or economic grounds.

While at United, Ince had collected two Premier League title medals as well as two FA Cup winner's medals and one winner's medal each in the European Cup Winners' Cup and Football League Cup. He had also collected runners-up medals in the League Cup twice and the FA Cup once.

Inter Milan

In the 1995–96 season, Inter failed to challenge for a 14th scudetto, finishing seventh in the Serie A. Ince, though, had a successful first season, playing in all but four of Inter's league matches and performing well after a slow start which had started speculation that he could be on his way back to the Premier League as early as the November transfer window - with Arsenal and Newcastle United both reported to be interested. However, he would remain in Milan for two seasons.

The next year, Ince had another successful season with the nerazzurri, scoring 6 times in 24 matches in the championship – in which Inter finished third – and also playing his part in Inter's run through to the UEFA Cup Final. Ince scored in the third round second-leg match away to Boavista as Inter swept all before them before meeting Schalke 04 in the final. Ince did not play in the away first-leg as Inter lost 1–0 but he returned to the line-up for the home match which the Italians won 1–0 thanks to a goal from Iván Zamorano. Penalties were again a heart breaker for Ince though, as Schalke won 4–1 in the resulting penalty shoot-out.

Ince was offered a new, improved contract by club president, Massimo Moratti, despite having two and a half years left on his current contract. However, due to family reasons he was unable to accept the contract and returned to England with Liverpool.

Liverpool

In July 1997, Ince returned to England, joining Manchester United's rivals Liverpool. His new club's fans were divided over his links to United. In his first season at Anfield, he equalised in a 1–1 Merseyside Derby draw at home to Everton on 23 February 1998, and on 6 May he scored twice in a 4–0 win over newly crowned league champions Arsenal to secure third place. Almost a year to the day, he equalised in a 2–2 comeback draw against United, who nonetheless won the treble.

According to Graeme Le Saux's autobiography, Ince's homophobic taunting and Le Saux's reaction during a 1997 match between Liverpool and Chelsea resulted in a long-running coolness between the two players. Ince won no honours in his two seasons with Liverpool, and remarked on his teammates "I just felt they were good players, but just wanted to go out all the time, and I just thought that wasn't the way. I thought they needed that professionalism on the pitch"; these players were dubbed the "Spice Boys" by the tabloid media for their off-field issues. He fell out with Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier in the summer of 1999, when he attempted to sign Marc-Vivien Foé without consulting him.

Middlesbrough

Houllier put Ince on the transfer list and the 31-year-old signed for Middlesbrough for £1 million in July 1999. He was signed by his former Manchester United midfield partner Bryan Robson.

Ince received 11, 9 and 10 yellow cards in his three respective seasons. On 22 October 2001, in a 2–0 home win over rivals Sunderland, he was sent off for putting his hands to Niall Quinn's face. The following 10 March, he scored in a 3–0 victory against Everton at the Riverside Stadium to put Boro into the semifinals of the FA Cup, but he missed the defeat to Arsenal in that round due to suspension.

In July 2002, Ince left Boro after turning down a two-year contract extension, citing the long commute from his home in the northwest. He played 106 games for Boro, scoring nine goals.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

In August 2002, Ince signed a one-year contract with Football League First Division side Wolverhampton Wanderers, who had just signed his former Manchester United teammate Denis Irwin. In his first season outside top-flight football, he helped the team to promotion via a 3–0 win over Sheffield United in the play-off final, assisting the second goal by Nathan Blake.

Ince and Irwin signed new one-year contracts to remain with Wolves for the 2003–04 FA Premier League season. The team finished bottom and he was sent off in the last game of the season, a 2–0 loss to Tottenham at Molineux.

With over 100 appearances to his name, Ince signed a new contract in June 2005. Through thigh problems, he missed four months between August and December.

In April 2006, Ince announced that he wanted to continue playing for Wolves for a further season after speaking with his friend Teddy Sheringham. However, following Ince's failure to get the manager's job at Wolves in July 2006 on Hoddle's resignation, the newly appointed manager, Mick McCarthy, decided not to offer Ince a new contract. Throughout his time with the club, Ince declared his intention to return, at some point in the future, as manager of Wolves.

International career

Ince made his debut for the full England team on 9 September 1992 in a friendly match against Spain in Santander, losing 1–0. Ince made history during the tour of the US when, on his seventh cap against the host nation on 6 June 1993, he became England's first black captain in the absence of David Platt and Tony Adams. England lost 2–0.

Ince's only international goals came on his 12th appearance. These were two in a 7–1 win away to San Marino in the final game of the unsuccessful 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification, on 17 November 1993. During Euro 96 Ince was a member of Terry Venables' England team as the midfield ball winner and got the label of "Gazza's minder", whose job was to create room for Paul Gascoigne to exploit with his natural ball skills. Though the first group game ended in a disappointing 1–1 draw at Wembley against Switzerland, England went on to defeat Scotland 2–0 and then met the Netherlands and put on a display subsequently heralded as "the greatest in generations" and "the high point of the tournament for England". Ince was fouled for a penalty which gave England the lead and helped them towards a 4–1 win; he also picked up a yellow card which rendered him unavailable for the quarter-final against Spain, so David Platt replaced him in a match England won in a penalty shoot-out.

Venables put Ince back in the side for the semifinal against Germany, replacing the suspended Gary Neville as England switched systems to a back three, accommodating Ince in central midfield with Paul Gascoigne and David Platt. Ince was part of an England team that played well but the match rarely spent much time as one-way traffic in either direction, and it finished a 1–1 draw. England lost the penalty shoot-out when Gareth Southgate missed the sixth England penalty. Ince, along with fellow midfielders Steve McManaman and Darren Anderton and captain Tony Adams, received criticism for not taking a penalty before Southgate, and Ince also sat with his back to the action for the whole time.

Ince, in an incident reminiscent of Terry Butcher seven years earlier, started a crucial 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier away to the Italy on 11 October 1997 with a white England shirt and ended it with a red one after his own blood soaked the shirt following a deep cut to his head. The game ended goalless and England had qualified. He was selected in the England squad for the finals in France. England got through the group but succumbed in the second round to Argentina, again after a penalty shoot-out. This time Ince did take a penalty but saw it saved.

Ince was sent off in a 2–1 loss against Sweden in England's first qualifying match for Euro 2000 on 5 September 1998. In his absence, manager Kevin Keegan chose David Batty in central midfield. When Batty himself was sent off against Poland, Ince returned for the playoff against Scotland.

In a warm up match for Euro 2000 against Malta, Ince came on as a substitute and won his 50th cap, and was subsequently named in the 22-man squad for the tournament. He duly played in all three of England's group games of the tournament – winning a penalty against Romania in the last game – but England lost two of three matches and were eliminated. He publicly said that he would not follow Alan Shearer into international retirement, given that he did not want to end his England career on a low note.

Style of play

A tenacious, athletic, and hard-working player, Ince was known for his tireless running and ability to provide defensive support to his team in midfield.

Managerial career

Swindon Town (player-coach)

Ince signed a one-year contract with Swindon Town as a player/coach on 31 August 2006. Swindon beat the likes of Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion for his signature. A key factor in the transfer was Ince's long standing friendship with Town manager Dennis Wise, who had played alongside him in the England team during the 1990s. He made his first start for Swindon in his second game, the 2–1 victory over MK Dons on 12 September, winning a penalty. Having played one more game, he ended his contract by mutual consent on 6 October, citing long travel times from his home in Chester. He said he would remain for his coaching badges.

Macclesfield Town

On 23 October 2006, Ince was confirmed as the new player-manager of Macclesfield Town in succession to Brian Horton. However, he was ineligible to play for the Silkmen until January when the transfer window opened, as Swindon Town still held his registration. He joined Macclesfield with the club bottom of League Two, seven points off their nearest rivals. He then revived confidence and after a 3–0 win against Chester they managed to climb off the bottom of the table. They subsequently avoided relegation, albeit on the last day of the season. On 4 January 2007 Ince was named as League Two Manager of the Month for December. Ince retired as a player while at Macclesfield, where he only made one league appearance, as an 85th-minute substitute for Alan Navarro in a 1–1 home draw with Notts County on 5 May that saved the team from relegation.

Milton Keynes Dons

Ince was unveiled as the new Milton Keynes Dons manager along with his assistant Ray Mathias and fitness coach Duncan Russell on 25 June 2007. The Dons reached the top of their Division in September 2007 and other clubs began to take a serious interest. In October and November 2007, he denied rumours that he was being linked with managerless Premier League teams Wigan Athletic, Derby County and Championship team Norwich City.

Ince was named as League Two Manager of the Month in October and December 2007, and again in April 2008.

Ince's first silverware as manager came in the Football League Trophy final at Wembley on 30 March 2008, with MK Dons defeating Grimsby Town 2–0. He then secured the Dons' return to League One on 19 April after they beat Stockport County 3–2. A week later, the Dons became League Two champions after they beat Bradford City 2–1.

Blackburn Rovers

In the close-season it was speculated that Ince had been contacted by Blackburn Rovers in their search to appoint a new manager, something that Ince himself denied. However, the BBC reported that Ince would be named as Blackburn manager by the end of the week of 19 June. He was appointed on 22 June and became the first black British manager in England's top division. On the first day of the 2008–09 FA Premier League season, Blackburn won 3–2 against Everton at Goodison Park on 16 August. Ince's 2008 summer signings included England international goalkeeper Paul Robinson, Danny Simpson (Loan), Vince Grella, Carlos Villanueva (Loan), Robbie Fowler, Mark Bunn and Keith Andrews, spending over £10 million on Robinson, Grella and Andrews.

After winning just three games in 17, Ince was sacked on 16 December 2008 after just six months in charge. He had been with Blackburn only 177 days, one of the shortest reigns of a Premier League manager. Blackburn fans had been demanding his removal following a 5–3 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford in the League Cup on 3 December. At the game, the crowd could be heard chanting "You don't know what you're doing" and "We want Incey out" as well as singing the name of their former manager Graeme Souness.

Return to Milton Keynes Dons

On 3 July 2009, Ince signed again for Milton Keynes Dons on a two-year deal. During Ince's second spell the Dons were less successful, finishing in 13th place in League One. On 16 April 2010, he announced that he would leave the job a year early, at the end of the 2009–10 season.

Notts County

Ince returned to management on 28 October 2010, signing a three-year deal with Notts County. On 3 April 2011 he left the club by mutual consent after a run of five successive defeats left them in 19th, two points above the relegation zone.

Blackpool

On 18 February 2013, Blackpool appointed Ince as manager on a one-year rolling contract. He had been watching the team, for which his son Tom played, in person for over a year. Ince took charge of his first match as Blackpool manager on 20 February 2013, a 2–0 defeat against Leeds United at Elland Road. He earned his first win on 9 March 2013, a 2–1 victory against Watford at Vicarage Road.

Under Ince, Blackpool made their best-ever start to a league season. Their victory at AFC Bournemouth on 14 September 2013 gave them 16 points out of a possible 18, with five wins and a draw in their first six games. Following the game at Bournemouth, Ince was given a five-match stadium ban by The Football Association for his conduct towards a match official in the tunnel after the game. The FA concluded that his behaviour had constituted violent conduct. He was also fined £4,000. Ince left Blackpool on 21 January 2014, after less than a year in charge, becoming their fourth-shortest-serving manager in their history (40 league games). Under his management, Blackpool won 12 out of 42 games and had not won since 30 November 2013.

Reading

On 19 February 2022, Ince and Michael Gilkes were announced as interim managers of Championship side Reading. On his debut three days later, the team won 2–1 at home to Birmingham City. Despite losing 3–0 to Hull City on 23 April, Ince guided Reading to safety with two games left to play, ensuring Championship football for the club in the 2022–23 season. In May 2022, Ince was given the manager's job on a permanent basis along with assistant Alex Rae who was also given a permanent role.

On 11 April 2023, Ince was sacked by Reading. At the time Reading were in 22nd in the Championship and had not won in their previous eight games.

Personal life

Ince's son, Tom, has played for the England national under-17 football team and for Ince's former club Liverpool. On 1 November 2010, Ince put through a two-month loan deal to bring Tom to Notts County and on 3 August 2011 Tom signed a two-year contract with Blackpool. The two were reunited in February 2022 when Ince became interim manager of Reading.

Ince is the uncle of singer Rochelle Humes and cousin to footballer Rohan Ince and Trinidadian goalkeeper Clayton Ince.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
West Ham United 1986–87 First Division 10 1 2 0 0 0 — 1 0 13 1
1987–88 First Division 28 3 1 0 2 0 — 1 0 32 3
1988–89 First Division 33 3 7 1 7 3 — 2 1 49 8
1989–90 Second Division 1 0 — — — — 1 0
Total 72 7 10 1 9 3 — 4 1 95 12
Manchester United 1989–90 First Division 26 0 7 0 3 2 — — 36 2
1990–91 First Division 31 3 2 0 6 0 7 0 1 0 47 3
1991–92 First Division 33 3 3 0 7 0 3 0 1 0 47 3
1992–93 Premier League 41 5 2 0 3 0 1 0 — 47 5
1993–94 Premier League 39 8 7 1 5 0 4 0 1 0 56 9
1994–95 Premier League 36 5 6 0 0 0 5 0 1 1 48 6
Total 206 24 27 1 24 2 20 0 4 1 281 28
Inter Milan 1995–96 Serie A 30 3 5 0 — 0 0 — 35 3
1996–97 Serie A 24 7 4 2 — 10 1 — 38 10
Total 54 10 9 2 — 10 1 — 73 13
Liverpool 1997–98 Premier League 31 8 1 0 4 0 4 0 — 40 8
1998–99 Premier League 34 6 2 1 2 1 3 1 — 41 9
Total 65 14 3 1 6 1 7 1 — 81 17
Middlesbrough 1999–2000 Premier League 32 3 0 0 3 1 — — 35 4
2000–01 Premier League 30 2 3 0 2 0 — — 35 2
2001–02 Premier League 31 2 4 1 1 0 — — 36 3
Total 93 7 7 1 6 1 — — 106 9
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2002–03 First Division 37 2 3 1 2 0 — 3 0 45 3
2003–04 Premier League 32 2 1 0 2 0 — — 35 2
2004–05 Championship 28 3 2 0 1 1 — — 31 4
2005–06 Championship 18 3 2 0 0 0 — — 20 3
Total 115 10 8 1 5 1 — 3 0 131 12
Swindon Town 2006–07 League Two 3 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 3 0
Macclesfield Town 2006–07 League Two 1 0 — — — — 1 0
Total 609 72 64 7 50 8 37 2 11 2 771 91
  1. Includes FA Cup, Coppa Italia
  2. Includes Football League Cup
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in Full Members' Cup
  4. ^ Appearances in European Cup Winners' Cup
  5. ^ Appearance in FA Charity Shield
  6. Appearances in European Super Cup
  7. ^ Appearances in UEFA Cup
  8. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  9. Appearances in First Division play-offs

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England 1992 3 0
1993 9 2
1994 3 0
1995 1 0
1996 10 0
1997 9 0
1998 9 0
1999 4 0
2000 5 0
Total 53 2
Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ince goal.
List of international goals scored by Paul Ince
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 17 November 1993 Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna, Italy  San Marino 1–1 7–1 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 5–1

Managerial statistics

As of match played 10 April 2023
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
P W D L Win %
Macclesfield Town 23 October 2006 25 June 2007 35 14 8 13 040.0
MK Dons 25 June 2007 21 June 2008 55 33 12 10 060.0
Blackburn Rovers 21 June 2008 16 December 2008 21 6 4 11 028.6
MK Dons 6 July 2009 8 May 2010 56 23 9 24 041.1
Notts County 27 October 2010 3 April 2011 29 10 6 13 034.5
Blackpool 18 February 2013 21 January 2014 42 12 15 15 028.6
Reading 20 February 2022 11 April 2023 58 18 11 29 031.0
Total 296 116 65 115 039.2

Honours

As a player

Manchester United

Wolverhampton Wanderers

England

Individual

As a manager

Milton Keynes Dons

Individual

References

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External links

England squads
England squad – UEFA Euro 1996 semi-finalists
England
England squad – 1998 FIFA World Cup
England
England squad – UEFA Euro 2000
England
Awards
West Ham United F.C. – Hammer of the Year
Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year
1992–93 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year
1993–94 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year
1994–95 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year
English Football Hall of Fame
Players
Men
Women
Managers
Referees
Managerial positions
Macclesfield Town F.C. – managers
(p) = player-manager; (c) = caretaker manager
Milton Keynes Dons F.C. – managers
(c) = caretaker manager
Blackburn Rovers F.C. – managers
(c) = caretaker manager
Notts County F.C. – managers
(c) = caretaker manager; (s) = secretary
Blackpool F.C. – managers
= caretaker; = head coach
Reading F.C. – managers
(c) caretaker manager
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