The Phoenix finished ninth in 2015-16, some 16 points outside the top six places after finishing in the top four the previous campaign.

The 34-year-old central defender was recalled to the New Zealand squad on Thursday, just over a year after stepping aside from the national team for family reasons.

All Whites coach Anthony Hudson approached Durante late last season about returning for New Zealand in the OFC Nations Cup in Papua New Guinea in May and June.

Durante had several conversations with Hudson but declined the invitation after a challenging 2015-16 season at club level.

“The Phoenix season was a really difficult one, it was a poor season,” Durante said.

“It was probably the poorest on record and I really struggled with it.

“Mentally I wasn’t in the right place to commit to international football. I really needed that off-season to get my mind right.

“I felt out of love with the game, it was really affecting me. I made that decision to step aside and not join a month-long training camp.

“Being in there I would’ve been required to be one of the leaders to get everyone going. If I couldn’t get myself going at the time, it would’ve been unfair to say I’ll come for the sake of coming.

“I made an informed decision not to be a part of that and to be fair I’m glad I did because in the off-season I went away with family and I’ve come back to pre-season feeling really good and refreshed.”

Durante’s recall at 34 might surprise some, but the nine-time New Zealand international said he put no time limits on his international career.

He also insisted he never retired from New Zealand despite media reports to the contrary.

“I never said that I’d retired. I think the media played that up,” he said.

“I did step aside for that time and made the decision after being left out of a few camps that I’d spend some more time with my family.

“It was a really difficult time on the personal side of it.

“Anthony Hudson was looking at the next generation and I didn’t want to get in front of that, so I made that decision to step aside.

“He said at the time if I felt like coming back the door would be open. Here we are a year and a bit later and I feel I’m ready to tackle international football again.”