Barcelona have reportedly told Hansi Flick not to engage with José Mourinho after he was appointed Real Madrid head coach. SPORT reported that club officials reminded the German coach of Mourinho’s confrontations with Barcelona during his 2010–13 tenure.
Mourinho faced Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona several times during that period, with their rivalry producing tense matches and touchline incidents. One of the most notable came during the 2011 Spanish Super Cup, when Mourinho poked assistant coach Tito Vilanova in the eye.
Flick then faced a question about Mourinho before Barcelona’s postponed match against Elche. He asked whether Barcelona were playing Real Madrid before telling reporters to ask about the Elche game instead. Mundo Deportivo also reported that Flick had decided against entering a verbal exchange with Mourinho.
Real Madrid appointed Mourinho on 11 June 2026 and gave him a contract until 30 June 2029. The deal brought him back to the club after spells with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Roma and Fenerbahçe.
At his first press conference, Mourinho spoke about discipline, collective responsibility and standards within the squad. He later described the club as the professional peak of his coaching career and said his connection with Madrid had become stronger over time.
Barcelona extended Flick’s deal in May 2026 until 30 June 2028, with an option for another season. He therefore remains tied to the club while Mourinho’s agreement with Real Madrid runs for another year beyond Flick’s current contract.
The first Clásico of the 2026–27 LaLiga season is scheduled for 25 October at Camp Nou. The match will bring Mourinho and Flick into their first competitive encounter since the Portuguese coach took charge in Madrid.
