Former Manchester United player, Quinton Fortune has warned Barcelona manager, Hansi Flick about the challenges posed by José Mourinho in the upcoming 2026–27 season.
The Portuguese coach is preparing for his first season with Los Blancos, having been appointed by the club this summer.
Fortune discussed this year’s El Clásico encounters between Barcelona and Real Madrid with Mourinho at the helm.
Speaking to Tribal Football, he advised Flick to be wary of the Real Madrid manager’s reputation for mind games, emphasizing the need for caution to avoid falling victim to Mourinho’s psychological tactics.
He said, “Hansi Flick is a calm character, and I think he already knows what’s coming now that José Mourinho is back at Real Madrid. If he allows Mourinho to get into his head, then it’s done. It’s over. If Mourinho can find a way in, you’re finished.
“Flick is undoubtedly a skilled manager, but Mourinho is among the best when it comes to psychological warfare. He also possesses sufficient talent within his squad to challenge Barcelona effectively on the field.
“Mourinho will strive to divert attention away from his players while attempting to unsettle Barcelona, creating distractions and placing all the pressure on Flick and his team. This will be a significant test for them.”
Hansi Flick, a former Bayern Munich manager, has generally enjoyed success since taking charge of La Blaugrana in the summer of 2024. He has particularly excelled in El Clásico, securing victory in six of seven encounters with Real Madrid across all competitions.
Mourinho will be tasked with reclaiming dominance from the Catalan giants, who have clinched LaLiga titles in the past two seasons.
He aims to leverage the quality of his players to restore control over the rivalry, a challenge he successfully managed more than a decade ago.