Wesley Sneijder launched a stinging attack on Diego Maradona and Carlos Dunga, dubbing them 'a couple of idiots', but later refuted the claim as mere 'huge misunderstanding'.

"After a difficult first half in the quarterfinal against Brazil, we were able to keep our cool. I prefer to have someone like Van Marwijk on the bench rather than a couple of idiots like Maradona and Dunga. "

Brazil's 2-1 defeat to Holland saw Dunga sacked,

The Holland midfielder made the statements in an interview with Dutch magazine Heiden.

"It's wonderful having someone leading the team who gives you a sense of calm rather than panic," he said of Coach Bert Van Marwijk.

while Maradona has hinted he'll resign after Argentina's 4-0 loss to Germany.

However, Sneijder later insisted it was "a huge misunderstanding" from the Dutch media and that he never called Diego Maradona and Carlos Dunga "idiots, in an official

statement through the Inter website.

"There has been a huge misunderstanding in the transcribing and various translations of my words," he insisted.

"In the interview I never referred directly to Maradona and Dunga, who I have a great deal of respect for both for what they have achieved as players and as Coaches.

"In the interview I only spoke about the differences between tacticians, because no two people can be alike.

"I am terribly sorry for the incorrect interpretation that was given to my words.

Sneijder also had praise for his teammates and the coach.

"Everyone talked about the 'fantastic four' of myself, Arjen Robben, Robin Van Persie and Rafael Van Der Vaart, but now look at Dirk Kuyt. He is a regular first team pick and that is how it should be. I also think it's right not to remove Van Persie, as he has been very useful for us.

"Van Marwijk reminds me of Jose Mourinho, who was able to give us great self-belief at Inter.”