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'Otto Maximum' promises progress

Otto Barić said he planned to live up to his nickname of 'Otto Maximum' when he was unveiled as the new coach of the Albanian national team.

Otto Barić is the new coach of Albania
Otto Barić is the new coach of Albania ©Getty Images

Otto Barić said he planned to live up to his nickname of 'Otto Maximum' when he was unveiled as the new coach of the Albanian national team.

Austrian success
The 74-year-old former Croatia coach will lead the team in their bid to qualify for UEFA EURO 2008™ from a group containing the Netherlands, Romania and Slovenia among others. "I have been around for 35 years as a coach, and won nine titles and seven cups in 18 years in Austria," said Barić, who coached six Austrian club sides before taking charge of the national team.

'Steps forward'
"I have also reached two European club finals, that's why they call me 'Otto Maximum'," he said. "I respect the work Briegel did here, but we will take more steps forward." Football Association of Albania president Armando Duka described Barić as the "most experienced and high profile" coach the country has ever had.

Albanian home
Unlike previous foreign coaches of Albania, Barić will live in Tirana and follow the domestic championship closely. He also pledged to work closely with the Under-21 squad to nurture the country’s young talent, having given Croatian stars such as Darijo Srna and Josip Šimunić their first caps in the senior side.