Parma's first season back in Serie B was a successful one, missing out on promotion to Italy's top tier by just three points and eliminating A.C. Milan from the Coppa Italia, a result that convinced owner Silvio Berlusconi, to hire Sacchi as the new manager of the Rossoneri.
An unsatisfactory start to the season after next made way for a brief return for Arrigo Sacchi in January 2001, who soon succumbed to poor health and was replaced by Renzo Ulivieri, who was then sacked in October.
Mario Beretta and Stefano Pioli both had an unsuccessful time at the club; the latter being replaced in February 2007 by Claudio Ranieri, who miraculously saved the side from relegation to Serie B before leaving at the end of the season.
Three different head coaches (Domenico Di Carlo,[7] Héctor Cúper, and caretaker Andrea Manzo) took charge that season, but none were able to preserve Parma's Serie A status.
[9] Marino's time in charge lasted until 3 April 2011, when he was sacked by President Tommaso Ghirardi after a disappointing home defeat to rock-bottom Bari saw Parma fall within two points of the relegation zone with seven matches to go.
Fuelled by Amauri and Sebastian Giovinco's work in tandem, Parma comfortably avoided relegation, earning some notable scalps along the way.