Vincenzo Montella was officially appointed as the new manager of Catania on 1 July 2011, taking over the post previously left vacant following the departure of Diego Simeone.

Catania began this season's transfer activity by signing Federico Moretti from Ascoli on 20 June 2011.

Other signings include Pietro Terracciano from Nocerina, Keko from Atlético Madrid, David Suazo from Internazionale, and Gonzalo Bergessio from Saint-Étienne.

During the winter transfer window, Catania loaned Marco Motta from Juventus, Juan Pablo Carrizo from Lazio, Osarimen Ebagua from Torino, and Felipe Seymour from Genoa.

Other departures include Cristian Suarino loaned to Nocerina, Ezequiel Carboni to Banfield, Takayuki Morimoto sold to Novara in a co-ownership bid.