Parma club administrator Pietro Leonardi hopes the sacking of Pasquale Marino will galvanise the team in their battle to avoid the drop. Marino was dismissed after yesterday's 2-1 home defeat against bottom club Bari and Parma have yet to name his replacement.

"We have taken this decision in order to put the responsibility on the team," Leonardi said. "We have done it so the team cannot make any more excuses. Now we have to think only of defending our Serie A status."

Parma are just two points above the relegation zone with seven games of the season remaining. The Gialloblu have won just one of their last ten league games.

"We cannot give up," Leonardi said. "We have to take as many points as possible to remain in the top flight."

Former Bologna coach Franco Colomba has been strongly linked to succeed Marino. Parma travel to Rome next weekend to face Lazio.