VITTEL. France. July 7 (Reuters/ Internet): With his ' gendarme's cap by his side, a cigarette in his hand and spectacles giving him the air of a university professor, there is no mistaking Croatia's coach Miroslav Blazevic.
Always with an opinion, a smile or a scowl, Blazevic has become one of the true characters of the 1998 World Cup.
Back home in Croatia. "Ciro" is riding high, credited as being the man who has masterminded his country's rise to the last four in the World Cup.
He hasn't always been so popular.
Less than a year ago. the demanding Croatian footballing public was calling for his head after poor performances in the qualifying stage meant Croatia had a playoff with Ukraine for a place in
He had first come under fire after he fielded a second string side against Portugal in Euro '96. Croatia lost 3-0 and the result meant it had to face Germany in the quarterfinals, a game it subsequently lost.
His darkest hour came in 1995 when he spent two weeks in a French jail while being investigated for fraud at a time when French soccer was wracked with fraud allegations. He was cleared of involvement.
Prior to taking over the reins oi the national team in
1994. he had been coach of among others. Croatia Zagreb. Grasshoppers Zurich and France's Nantes after his playing career had been cut short at the age of 26 by a knee injury.
The newly independent Croats had a number of coaches with international experience and sought to team them up with Blazevic.
A temperamental man with a strong personality. Blazevic has been unable to snare the responsibility for his side with anyone.
His first two years in charge saw a series of conflicts, with first technical director Tomislav Ivie and then assistant coach Otto Baric leaving.
Blazevic fought on. helped by his close personal friendship with Croat president Franjo Tudjman. a politician not afraid to make his views on the game known to the soccer authorities.
Now solely in charge. Blazevic has come into his own. producing a final four side from a team that few fancied to make it beyond the second round.
Many put his success down to his motivational skills.
"His secret is that he has an inner communication with the players." says Croatian Football Federation president Branko Miksa. who stood by Blazevic while he was under fire.
"I le is like a psychologist, he understands the players' psyche and he has a great knowledge of football. He is able to combine the two to achieve these results," Miksa added.
The team spirit Blazevic has created is also credited as being a key factor in the Croat success.
"We have a number of players here like (Aljosa) Asanovic for example, who have not had a good season with their clubs." says Miksa, "But he has been able to stimulate those players to be part of a team and work as a team."
Blazevic's psychological approach goes beyond the usual pep talks. He admits to being a deeply superstitious man and regularly consults astrological charts prior to games.
One superstition he has maintained since before the second round clash with Romania is to carry with him the gendarme's cap. or "kepi."
'The local gendarme chief gave it to me.' said Blazevic. explaining the permanent presence of the kepi which he takes with him wherever he goes. ‘
"He wanted me to keep It with me to bring luck to the policeman who was beaten by the hooligans in Lens."
A gendarme was beaten almost to death by German hooligans in Lens on June 21. a crime that shocked all of France.