Baric started coaching in the 1960s with Lokomotiva Zagreb but he has spent most of his career in Austria.
A good German speaker, he led Rapid Vienna to the European Cup Winners' Cup Final in 1985 and SV Salzburg to the UEFA Cup Final in 1994 as well a host of domestic honours.
But the stubborn coach has faced many critics since he took charge of Croatia after their disappointing first-round exit from the 2002 World Cup.
It was time for rebuilding. Croatia were desperately short of players who could live up to the standards set in the 1990s by players such as Davor Suker and Robert Prosinecki.
Baric was forced to throw out the oldies and use his skills at turning a group of average players into a powerful unit.
The Croatian media is a fanatical bunch, some of whom even wear the national red-and-white chequered jersey in the press box at games.
Many did not take to the tactics of the former defender from the suburbsof Zagreb. He was accused of "directionless wandering" when he tried out more than 40 players.
Football officials in Croatia called for him to step down because of too many tactical changes and demanded that a younger man take the job.
In another media controversy he told one newspaper that he would never allow gay players in his team because he considered them "unnatural".
The irony of all this antiquated, macho talk, however, is that Croatia's problem on the field is an absurd tendency for theatrics.
Diving and ridiculous play-acting have been part of the national team's game for some time.
Their run to the last four of the 1998 World Cup earned many admirers but not in the German camp, who were furious at their diving in the quarter-final.
The French were also angered when Laurent Blanc was sent off in the semi-final following blatant over-acting by Slaven Bilic.
The tactics were on display in the tight game with Switzerland and England will need to keep their composure tonight after Baric told his players to target Wayne Rooney.
It is interesting that Baric complained about the heat after their opening goalless draw with Switzerland which was a 5pm kickoff when temperatures were close to 40°C in Leiria.
There is no doubt that Baric's tactics are much more effective in cooler temperatures when his team can run for much longer. The French game, which kicked off later, proved that.
The fact that tonight's kick-off is also at 7.45pm is a boost to Baric. It is likely to have the buzz and tempo of a Premiership clash.
Although that will also suit Sven-Goran Eriksson's side, Baric believes England can be beaten.
He said: "We will be at 100 per cent against England. We are improving in every game and our motivation is getting higher and higher.
"We have adapted ourselves to the way the Swiss and the French played. There is no reason for not doing the same against England."
