Vilanova: If Barcelona were 18 points behind, I'd be sacked

Tito Vilanova has piled the pressure on Jose Mourinho by suggesting that if Barcelona was 18 points behind Real Madrid, he would be sacked.

Mourinho has come in for criticism because of his side's poor form in its title defense and the decision to drop club icon Iker Casillas. While Los Blanocs were playing against Real Sociedad, the mention of Mourinho's name drew whistles the club's supporters.

Vilanova added to the situation by insinuating that he would be gone if his team was trailing Mourinho's by 18 points like the position the former Chelsea and Porto boss currently finds himself. When asked if the title race was over, Vilanova told reporters, "No, but if the situation was the other way around, I woudn't be here to answer that question.

"Madrid are capable of winning every game in the second half of the season and we are capable of losing those points. We are not talking about four games, there are a lot of games left. I know that things can change very quickly. As soon as you lose two games, you look worse as a coach."
Vilanova was speaking ahead of the Blaugrana’s Copa del Rey tie against Malaga, which he does not think will prove to be an easy path to the semifinals -- where Barcelona could potentially meet Real Madrid. 

"Malaga have already shown what they are capable of in the Champions League and La Liga," Vilanova said. "They are a team full of virtue, and you can have a red card or go a goal down and everything is more difficult, because it is decided over the two legs.”