 FORMER England international Paul Ince has emerged as a surprise contender to replace Kevin Keegan as manager of Newcastle United. Ince has a long-standing friendship with Toon’s director of football Dennis Wise – something which was cemented by their time together with Swindon Town in 2006. Ince has just joined Blackburn Rovers and, as he is on a four-year deal, compensation would be an issue if United harden their interest. The Chronicle accepts that the last thing United fans want is to be thrown a new name every day as they come to terms with the fact that Keegan has gone. But Ince certainly looks a possibility as he would have no problem in working with Wise. Indeed, Ince’s Wikipedia web entry claims: “On August 31, 2006, Paul Ince signed a new contract with Swindon Town as a player-coach. “Swindon were rumoured to have beaten the likes of Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and Crewe Alexandra 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 occasionally in the England team during the 1990s.” Ince will know that whoever replaces Keegan is going to find it difficult to win over the United fans, but the former West Ham, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Liverpool midfielder has never been lacking in bottle. Wise and vice-president Tony Jimenez will be the key men in the appointment of a new United manager. Wise had a successful playing career with Chelsea, and Gus Poyet, Gianfranco Zola and Gianluca Vialli, who have been put forward for the United job, all have Stamford Bridge connections. On Saturday, Wise gave his support to another former Chelsea favourite, Roberto Di Matteo, when he was spotted in the MK Dons directors’ box. The Italian is now in charge of the club after taking over from Ince who left in the summer. Blackburn will not like Ince’s name being linked with the United job. But I am hearing that United’s top brass are more than interested in how Ince fares on Saturday when he pits his wits against Arsene Wenger and Arsenal at Ewood Park. United, of course, have a game with Hull City at St James’ on Saturday. In the circumstances this is an intriguing match – as are the next two. United are at West Ham a week on Saturday where another of Wise’s former Chelsea pals, Zola, is likely to be in charge. And, a week on Wednesday, Spurs will arrive at St James’s Park in the Carling Cup – with or without Poyet as their No 2. Poyet has tried to take the heat out of the situation by saying he is focussing on the job at White Hart Lane, but he has not actually said he does not want to manage Newcastle. Meanwhile, the future of another of United’s candidates, Didier Deschamps, will become clearer after France’s crunch World Cup qualifier at home to Serbia. Should they fail to see off the eastern Europeans comfortably, Raymond Domenech could face the axe, with Deschamps the people’s choice for the job. | 
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