[1] His successor, Pasquale Marino, who was also Guidolin's predecessor at Udinese, was announced as head coach on 2 June 2010,[2] but was sacked with seven games of the season left on 3 April 2011.

Win Draw Loss Without injured Daniele Galloppa, who was ruled out until the new year, Parma opened their season on the last Sunday of August with 2–0 victory over newly promoted Brescia.

The second goal came on the stroke of half-time through Stefano Morrone, who was left a simple tap-in after a far post header from Alessandro Lucarelli off a lofted free-kick set him up.

[7][8] Two difficult games – away to Fiorentina and at home to A.C. Milan – ended in defeat as Parma slipped into the relegation zone with two- and one-goal reverses respectively, the latter after a spectacular 30-yard strike from Andrea Pirlo.

[11] Consecutive goalless draws at home to Roma and Chievo lifted the club out of the relegation zone but prompted sporting director Pietro Leonardi to offer public support to head coach Pasquale Marino.

[24] Parma started 2011 in perfect fashion, overcoming biggest rivals Juventus away from home by a scoreline of four goals to one in the Turin club's first sell-out of the season.

[28] Two straight defeats followed, firstly 3–1 away to Genoa, whom Parma helped to their first home win since November as an early penalty was cancelled out by a Crespo strike, but atoned for by a Paletta own goal and a close-range Kaladze goal on the stroke of half-time,[29] and secondly 1–0 at home to fellow strugglers Lecce at the start of February in a match which Parma dominated but lost in injury time.

[30] The losing run was halted the next week as Parma hosted Fiorentina and a first goal for winter transfer window loan signing Amauri scored.

[37] Parma finally ended their winless streak and boosted their survival chances on 20 March 2011, overcoming fellow relegation battlers Sampdoria with a solitary goal midway through the second half.

[40] On 16 April, national and continental and world champions Internazionale paid a visit to the Tardini, as Parma recorded a historic two-goal victory with goals from Juventus loanees Giovinco and Amauri.

[43] Parma then travelled to meet Bologna in the Emilian Derby the following weekend, with both sides knowing that three points would secure their Serie A status for the season to come.

Win Draw Loss Parma's first major moves of the summer transfer window came in quick succession, signing previous season loanee and striker Valeri Bojinov from Manchester City, who revealed he had turned down an approach from Sevilla, and central defender Gabriel Paletta from Boca Juniors in the space of two days.

Midfielders Sebastian Giovinco and Massimo Gobbi both signed for Parma at the start of August on a loan deal from Juventus and on a free transfer from Fiorentina respectively, as did Danilo Pereira from Benfica.

[52][53] Journeyman forward Cristiano Lucarelli signed on loan for Napoli after he was told he was surplus to requirements at Parma, while experienced defender Christian Panucci retired at the age of thirty-seven.

[54][55] Parma ended the transfer window by signing Italian World Cup squad member Antonio Candreva on loan from Udinese for the duration of the season.

[57] Parma also completed the loan signing of Toni Calvo from Greek UEFA Europa League entrants Aris with an option to make the move permanent in the summer.