Former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune has urged Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick to block out the psychological tactics that Real Madrid manager José Mourinho is renowned for deploying against opposing coaches.

Fortune, speaking to Premier Bet, made clear that once Mourinho finds a way inside a manager's mind, the battle is effectively over before a ball is kicked.

"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," Fortune said.

A test of composure as much as tactics

The South Africa legend acknowledged that Flick is a composed and measured character — qualities that should serve him well — but stressed that composure alone will not be enough against one of the game's great manipulators.

"Flick is a very good manager but Mourinho is one of the best at this, the mind games, and he's got enough quality in his team to hurt Barcelona on the pitch too," Fortune added.

Fortune also outlined the typical playbook Mourinho tends to run in high-stakes clashes: drawing attention away from his own squad while engineering pressure on the opposing dugout.

"Mourinho will do everything he can to take the focus off his players while trying to disrupt Barcelona and cause a bit of smoke somewhere else to put all the pressure on Flick and his players. It will be a big test for them," Fortune warned.

Flick's record under pressure

Flick has demonstrated resilience in high-pressure fixtures, including El Clásico, but Fortune's message is that managing the psychological dimension of a rivalry involving Mourinho demands a different kind of mental strength — one that even experienced coaches have failed to sustain.

With Mourinho back in charge at Real Madrid, the mind games are already under way, and Fortune's advice to Flick is straightforward: do not engage, and do not get drawn in.