Barić steps down as Albania coach

Otto Barić has resigned as coach of Albania following his side's 6-1 defeat away to Romania. The veteran coach had only just agreed a new two-year deal at the start of the month.

Painful defeats
Barić took the post in June last year and though his side achieved some commendable results in UEFA EURO 2008™ Group G, he believed a heavy defeat in Bucharest coupled with Saturday's 4-2 home loss to Belarus had made his position untenable. "These two losses have really hurt me," the 75-year-old Austrian said. "I'm unable to continue coaching this team any longer."

Duka disappointed
Barić watched both matches from the stands as he served the start of a three-game suspension imposed for insulting match officials. He announced his decision after the game to Football Association of Albania president Armando Duka, who expressed his disappointment having verbally agreed to extend Barić's contract at the start of the month.

'Move on'
"I personally thank Otto Barić for the work he did with the national team," said Duka, who had hoped the veteran would continue his work into the next FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. "I was looking forward to the next qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, but we have to move on." Albania finished fifth in Group G with eleven points from 12 matches.