Ball has been on the coaching staff at Sunderland since the 2002/03 season after his playing career had come to an end with the Clarets in the previous summer, and he's currently in charge of the Sunderland development squad and under-21 team.
He's been in charge once before but it was hardly with any success. He stepped in for the last ten games of the 2005/06 season after the departure of Mick McCarthy. Sunderland were already doomed to relegation and they won just once with Bally in charge, a 2-1 home win against Fulham.
He's back in temporary charge, under the title of interim head coach, and will be in charge of their under-21 team tonight against Middlesbrough before assuming first team duty tomorrow for the Capital One Cup tie against Peterborough.
In addition, the club have now asked him to remain in charge for Sunday's televised home game against Liverpool which will be shown live on Sky, this to give them more time to consider their next move after the Di Canio experiment was brought to a shuddering halt after just twelve games.
Roberto Di Matteo is the current favourite to take over. He's odds on with most bookmakers right now but if you want a risky bet you can get 200/1 on Hope Powell and 250/1 on Newcastle's transfer guru Joe Kinnear via Sky Bet.