Ince kept Macclesfield in the Football League by dragging the players out of the local cafe and changing their eating habits and then guided the ambitious MK Dons to promotion from the bottom tier after using the services of a sports scientist.

And Mathias, who will remain his assistant after following him from Stadium:MK, is convinced Ince's techniques can succeed in the top flight saying: "Paul adjusted well to the job he had to do with Macclesfield and it was the same at MK Dons."

He added: "The players used to go to the local cafe at Macclesfield to get beans on toast, a pie or whatever.

"Then the diet came in and it was exactly the same at MK Dons, where we had a sports scientist.

"Of course it was not the same as Blackburn and the other top clubs but it won't be anything new in a sense."

Ince used to wear his heart on his sleeve as a player during his time at the top with Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool and Middlesbrough.

But Mathias has seen a sea change in him as a manager.

"People probably think he goes in with a whip but that is not the case," the 61-year-old coach told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Paul is sensible and knows how to treat players well. He is very diplomatic and very honest. He has no airs and graces. He knows if you treat players right you will get a similar response."