Sneijder happier after Rafa exit

Benitez was sacked in December after failing to build on the success of his predecessor Jose Mourinho and Holland playmaker Sneijder believes morale at the club has improved as a result.

He told AD Sportwereld: "I feel better now, more comfortable in my own skin on the field.

"And I would be lying if I said the change in coach had nothing to do with it.

"The new coach, Leonardo, works much more like Mourinho. Everyone feels a lot better with him."

Results have also improved under Leonardo with Inter moving to within five points of Serie A leaders AC Milan with a game in hand.