Valencia’s coach, Nuno Espírito Santo, has resigned after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Sevilla left them ninth in La Liga. A Sergio Escudero goal was enough to see off Valencia at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium in a match in which the visitors had both João Cancelo and Javi Fuego sent off.

Nuno, a former goalkeeper, was appointed at Mestalla in July 2014 to replace Juan Antonio Pizzi and guided the club to fourth place last season and Champions League qualification.

But with Valencia on the brink of elimination in the group stage and struggling in the league, Nuno revealed that he had told the owner, Peter Lim, that he intended to resign before Sunday’s game.

“Before the game I spoke with the president, with the owner, Peter Lim, and we have spoken after the game. We are all in agreement that the situation is not good. We all want to do the best for the club,” he said.

“It’s for that reason that I have taken the decision to leave the club. It’s been an honour to coach the club. I want to thank all the players I have worked with, Peter Lim and the fans.”

Reports in Spain suggested that Phil Neville, who has been working as an assistant to Nuno, will be asked to take training this week, with Frank Rijkaard and Michael Laudrup among the early contenders to succeed him.