After being without a job for nearly two years, Barić returned to coaching as he was named the head coach of the Albania national team in June 2006, after Hans-Peter Briegel's contract with the team was not extended. Barić stayed as coach of Albania until the 2008 European Championship with hopes to take the team to the final tournament for the first time. Unlike his predecessor, Barić lived in Tirana to closely watch the Albanian First Division and its players.