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Within his newly released autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits the chaotic period during Greece's financial crisis.

A Controversial Appointment

As per the ex-PM's recollections, he appointed the maverick academic Varoufakis as the finance minister primarily due to his worldwide fame and Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to communicator.

“He was, in reality, more of a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Agendas

The former leader suggests that Varoufakis had his own motives that included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his game theories using the nation rather than genuinely advocating its financial survival.

He wrote how the discussions to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”

Critical Talks

During rollercoaster negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.

On the line lay not only Greece's destiny and the punishing austerity policies demanded in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Attempts to secure financing from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Helping the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.

Referendum and U-Turn

That summer, the punitive conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move that plunged the EU into deeper existential crisis.

Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result then negotiate a rescue deal from creditors which turned out to be even harsher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.

“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”

When the minister proposed a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the book, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for an agreement that required complex and sensitive management.”

He further claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of events has provoked fury and shock in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence on the matter.