Durable Durante remains undecided on retirement
Today’s game against Melbourne City could be Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante’s final act at Westpac Stadium.
The inspirational leader is yet to make a firm decision on his retirement and likely won’t until the off-season as he wants to take some time away from the game and make a call with a ‘‘clear mind’’.
Durante is leaving all options open and would not rule out retirement, re-signing with the Phoenix for a 12th season or even a return to Australia to finish out his playing career.
‘‘Sometimes I feel like I’ve had a good career and I’m done and then other days I feel like my body is good and I’m performing well and maybe I can go around again,’’ he said.
‘‘But it depends, you lose a few games and think maybe it’s done or you win a few games and you want to carry on, so I really need a clear mind. I want to take some time at the end of the season and really just analyse everything.
‘‘I haven’t ruled out anything and I won’t rule out anything. When the season ends I want to look at all opportunities both as a player and not a player, staying in football and not staying in football, just get it all together and make a clear decision.’’
Durante signalled in the last off-season that the 2018-19 A-League campaign would be his last before hanging up his boots, but the Phoenix’s resurgence under coach Mark Rudan appears to have changed his mind. The team is now readying for a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2015 and Durante has been an integral part of their success.
Remarkably, the 36-year-old has played more minutes (2099) than any other Phoenix player and is showing no signs of slowing down. The one game he missed was due to suspension and he is still very much enjoying his football.
‘‘I felt I would be capable of it, I really did. I did back myself every year to be able to perform and run out the minutes,’’ he said.
‘‘A new coach coming in, I didn’t know what he was thinking and like everything I had to prove myself early in the season to show my qualities and you’ve seen throughout the year that Mark doesn’t just play anyone for sympathy factor. If you don’t perform then there’s changes so I’d like to think I’ve performed quite well this year and made a significant contribution to the team.
‘‘But I’ve just enjoyed it. I’ve enjoyed my football this year. Last year was a really difficult time both on the field and off the field so to have a season like this is really good but the job is not done yet and we still want to continue to make this a really special season.’’
Although the Phoenix have suffered back-to-back defeats in their past two games, Durante did not believe those results could be attributed to Rudan’s departure, which was confirmed last week after months of speculation.
‘‘I don’t think so. Players were made aware of this quite a while ago that Mark is potentially going to move on and we’ve had some really successful, positive games in that time. It’s the last two games we’ve been poor, we’ve started poorly and for me it’s got no relevance to the news that’s broken.’’
Believing he has bought into the club’s culture more than any other coach, Durante said he will be sad to see Rudan leave but acknowledged that he respected his coach’s decision given it is for family reasons.
‘‘Obviously it’s disappointing, really disappointing, that such a great coach and good person who has really bought into the football club and bought into the culture of the country and the city and really embraced it [is leaving].
‘‘But on the other hand I respect his decision. I’m a family man also and I can imagine how difficult it is for him.’’
With Adelaide United beating Melbourne Victory 1-0 on Friday to move four points clear in fourth place, the Phoenix must beat City to have any hope of securing a home playoff.