Ince will be last without a licence, says Roxburgh

10:29am Tuesday 24th June 2008

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UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh believes Paul Ince will be one of the last Premier League managers to operate without a Pro Licence as England catches up with coaching standards in Europe.

Ince has been appointed manager of Blackburn and given two years to attain the qualification required to coach in the top flight, which Roxburgh feels reflects England's traditionally different attitude to management from the rest of the continent.

English clubs would risk being thrown out of European competition if they employ underqualified managers but former Scotland boss Roxburgh is confident the licence will eventually become a normal part of the learning process for homegrown talent.

"From a European perspective the licensing system has to be approved," said Roxburgh, who helped bring in the licence after being appointed by UEFA in 1994.

"The Premier League and the Football Association have to try to find a solution here because from our point of view at UEFA, if a club hasn't got a licence then they cannot take part in European competition.

"I'm dealing with 53 countries and I only get these questions from England. No-one else discusses it with us. It is a purely English phenomenon. But in 10 years it should be embedded."

Rather than blaming the Premier League or FA, Roxburgh insists it is the tradition of unqualified coaches that has led to managerial appointments straight after a playing career ends.