Rafa Benitez springs to his feet, grabs an unsuspecting member of our group and demonstrates how he would finish a judo match — one hand gripping the collar, his forearm to the throat.
'I can fight if I have to fight… I am ready,' says the Newcastle United manager, taking a welcome break from talk of his future for a rare delve into his past.
'When I was a boy I loved Bruce Lee. I did judo aged six to 13. I got a brown belt but had to give up to join Real Madrid's academy.