The 2-0 loss left the Catalan club second from bottom in La Liga with just one victory and five points from their opening eight rounds of action.

The result was particularly damaging as it means Mallorca have now leapfrogged Gallego’s side in the standings and only Leganes - who are yet to win this campaign - are below Espanyol.

Club owner Chen Yansheng has scheduled to meet senior club officials in China as he considers the next move for the club with Gallego’s future now said to be on the line, as outlined by Marca.