Brian Kidd yesterday accepted the challenge of reviving the fortunes of Blackburn Rovers, having finally tired of life in Alex Ferguson's shadow. After a day of negotiation he put pen to paper in a contract which will tie him to the east Lancashire club until 2002.

"I am absolutely delighted that Brian has accepted our invitation because he was always our first choice," said Blackburn's wealthy benefactor Jack Walker.

Although many had assumed Kidd would be content to remain at Manchester United as assistant manager in the belief, or more likely the hope, that he would one day succeed Ferguson, the 49year-old yesterday decided that he could no longer suppress his natural desire to move back into the mainstream.

Kidd's determination to leave was such that he even ignored a late plea from Ferguson to stay as his assistant. "It would be a terrible blow to lose him after seven years," Ferguson said earlier in the day.

Paddy Crerand, who played alongside Kidd in United's 1968 European Cup-winning side, was stunned by his old friend's departure.

"I'm really disappointed and I think that goes for all the Manchester United fans as well," he said.

Kidd's only other experience of front-line management was 12 years ago when he was briefly - and unsuccessfully - in charge at Preston.

Although an openly ambitious man, Kidd may also be a victim of the uncertainty and unease which has been generated inside British football's most successful club by the proposed takeover by Rupert Murdoch's Sky television empire.

Verbally, at least, he has always had the promise of a job for life at Old Trafford, but ever since Sky's £623 million bid for United the highly-respected coach has privately harboured reservations about his future.

Conscious that those who currently value his skills as a motivator out on the training pitch could conceivably be swept from power should Sky's bid be given the government's blessing, he opted to move on.

His decision to pick up the reins at a wealthy but deeply troubled club may well cost him the chance of realising his lifetime dream of one day managing United, the club he has served with such distinction as player and coach over 18 years.

Even if he proves a monumental success at Ewood Park, it is debatable whether he would be considered as a replacement for Ferguson when the Scot finally opts for retirement or a less highprofile role inside Old Trafford.

It was after spending most of yesterday in negotiations with senior members of Blackburn's hierarchy that Kidd finally announced that he was willing to succeed Roy Hodgson, who was dismissed a fortnight ago immediately after Rovers lost to Southampton in a Premiership game at Ewood Park.

Kidd will be officially unveiled as Blackburn's fourth full-time manager in as many years before tomorrow's crucial home date with their fellow strugglers Charlton Athletic.

He will be generously rewarded both in personal salary and in the money that will now be made available for the purchase of players. With the club currently adrift at the foot of the Premiership, Walker, a generous but impatient man, is believed to be ready to pledge as much as £25 million to improve the quality of a squad which appeared to be on the verge of open mutiny towards the end of Hodgson's brief and turbulent reign.

Kidd is likely to pick up a salary of around £700,000, almost treble what he was paid as Ferguson's assistant, and will try to succeed where Hodgson failed by convincing the cream of world football that Blackburn is indeed a suitable stage for their skills.

Niall Quinn is ready to pledge the rest of his career to First Division leaders Sunderland. The 32-year-old Republic of Ireland striker will meet Peter Reid next week to thrash out a new three-year deal.

Quinn's current deal expires in the summer by which time he hopes to have helped favourites Sunderland back to the Premiership after a two-year absence.

Former international referee Michael Zen-Ruffinen has taken over as general secretary of FIFA. The 39-year-old Swiss national, who joined world football's governing body in 1986, succeeds compatriot Sepp Blatter, who was elected FIFA president in June, in the post.

Zen-Ruffinen, who is a qualified lawyer, was formerly in charge of refereeing and recently was responsible for FIFA's legal affairs.