The 2010-11 campaign was a season of immediate and determined ambition for Real Valladolid, as Pucela fought for a rapid return to the top flight following their relegation. Despite significant mid-season managerial turbulence, the club finished 7th in the Segunda División, securing a crucial spot in the promotion play-offs. Spearheading the charge was the sensational centre-forward Javi Guerra, whose phenomenal 28 league goals (29 overall) anchored the attack and earned him the second-highest scorer title in the competition. The season, which included an emphatic 5-0 away victory over rivals Salamanca, was ultimately defined by a heartbreaking 3-2 aggregate loss to Elche in the play-off semi-finals, leaving Pucela agonizingly short of their goal.