STEVE ROUND has revealed that he would have no concerns about dropping down a division to kick off his managerial career.

The Everton assistant manager has worked at Premier League level for 13 years – but is concerned about the climate of panic in the top flight surrounding new, unproven managers.

Paul Ince was given just 17 league games in charge of Blackburn Rovers before the 41-year-old was sacked this week and replaced by the more experienced figure of Sam Allardyce.

Round was still a coach at Middlesbrough when Gareth Southgate was given his first managerial role and, two-and-a-half years later, he is still in charge at the Riverside.

But the former England coach feels the majority of Premier League clubs would not be as patient.

“Having worked with Paul at Middlesbrough – I was a coach when he was a player there – I’m upset for him,” added Round.

“He’s a nice guy and given time he would have done a good job. I think he’ll bounce back because he is that sort of character but it is disappointing.

“It seems to be people aren’t given enough time. Gareth Southgate is the only one who has had time, and he has an excellent chairman (Steve Gibson) there.

When he was going through a tough time the club stuck with him and they are now moving forward.

“If you do give people time then you get the rewards. These guys need to be given a chance for the long time.

“I’ve always wanted to be a manager and have had opportunities to go in lower down the leagues. I’d have no problem with that because I think if you get a job in the Premier League you need to have been successful.

'But you hope that it doesn't make the chairmen more afraid.

“There are some really good managers out there. I was talking the other day to Dave Penny at Darlington.

“He’s a good manager and he has 300, 400 games behind him but in terms of the step up he can’t quite get there.”

Round is, however, pleased to see Allardyce return to management with Rovers almost a year after his reign at Newcastle turned sour.

Round, who worked with Allardyce at St James’ Park for six months prior to the latter’s dismissal, said: “I’m really pleased for him.

“He is a good friend of mine, was once a colleague, but most of all he is an exceptional manager.

“He is also a good guy, and the Premier League is a better place for him being back.”

Asked why it did not happen for Allardyce at Newcastle, Round replied: “He was a victim of circumstance a little bit.

“First and foremost, he wasn’t the owner (Mike Ashley)’s appointment. After he came in the club changed ownership.

“He still made the best start to a season Newcastle had had for 10 years, and they were pushing towards the European places.

But then he hit a difficult part of the season where there were a few injuries, a few results didn’t go their way, and bang, he was gone.

“But in the short time I worked with him he was exceptional.

“To Blackburn, he will bring discipline, strength of character and he will get them organised and fit. Then there is his knowledge of working in the Premier League and being able to grind out results on little or no money.

“I don’t know if Blackburn have money, but if they haven’t then I’m sure he’ll still be able to pull a few rabbits out of the hat.

“His experience of working in the Premier League will stand Blackburn in good stead.”

Meanwhile, James Vaughan has finally undergone surgery to his right knee, four weeks after twisting the joint in training.

Vaughan had travelled to Colorado earlier this month to again visit American specialist Richard Steadman.

It was the renowned surgeon who operated on Vaughan after the 20-year-old had endured serious problems with his left knee.

However, Steadman was forced to cancel the latest surgery after breaking his arm in a skiing accident.

That forced Everton and Vaughan into seeking help in England, with the young striker going under the knife on Wednesday to repair lateral cartilage damage.

“James had his operation yesterday and everything went very well,” said Round.

“We now wish him a speedy recovery, and hopefully he should be fit before the end of the season.

“But we will have to keep a tab on that and see how it goes over the next few weeks.”

Vaughan is one of four Everton strikers currently out of action, although Victor Anichebe and Louis Saha are both closing in on a return.

Anichebe missed the 1-0 win at Manchester City with a back injury last weekend, whilst Saha has sat out the last three weeks with hamstring trouble.

Both players are due to undergo fitness tests over the weekend with regard to the possibility of figuring in Monday’s game with Chelsea at Goodison Park.