their traditional end of season lap of honour. On 7 February 2007, a friendly 'goodwill' match against China's youth side was curtailed after it descended into a "kung-fu" brawl, in which one Chinese player suffered a broken jaw and was knocked out. Causing a diplomatic incident, QPR's assistant manager Richard Hill was suspended by the club, and later replaced by Warren Neill. 2007–08 season 2007–08 started on a tragic note for QPR with the death of player Ray Jones in a car crash at the age of 19. Following this low point in the club's history, Rangers also faced mounting financial pressure, and in the same month it was announced that the club had been bought by wealthy Formula One businessmen Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone. During the 2007–08 season, Rangers competed in the EFL Championship. John Gregory's reign as manager came to an end in November 2007 after a string of poor results left QPR at the bottom of the Championship, and he was replaced by Luigi De Canio. QPR's form improved as De Canio guided them to a secure 14th place in the final table, and a narrow defeat at the hands of their Premier League neighbours Chelsea in the FA Cup third round. Further investment also followed in early 2008 courtesy of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal as the club looked to push for promotion to the Premier League within 4 years, on the back of greater financial stability. On 8 May, QPR announced that Luigi De Canio had left the club "by mutual consent" and that a further announcement regarding a new manager for the following season would be made in due course. 2008–present Ian Dowie was revealed as Luigi De Canio's replacement six days after the latter's departure on 14 May 2008. Tim Flowers was subsequently named Dowie's assistant for the upcoming 2008–09 season, reprising his former role with Dowie at Coventry City. However, on 24 October 2008 Dowie was sacked after just fifteen games in charge of the club. On 19 November 2008, QPR named former Portugal midfielder Paulo Sousa as their new first team coach. Sousa was sacked on 9 April 2009, after he allegedly divulged confidential information without authority, and player/coach Gareth Ainsworth was appointed as player/caretaker manager for a second time. Jim Magilton took over as manager in June 2009, but left the club by mutual consent on 16 December 2009 and