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In a freshly published personal account, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits that chaotic era during Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Choice

According to Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras chose that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily because of the latter's international reputation and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.

“He was, actually, more of a star and less of an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras claims that his finance chief had his own motives which involved promoting Varoufakis's publications and experimenting with his own game theories using Greece rather than genuinely fighting for its financial survival.

Tsipras explained that the negotiations to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of his economic theories.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid tense negotiations, Greece came dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.

On the line lay not only the country's destiny and those harsh austerity measures required in exchange for financial aid from foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.

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

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, the harsh conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action that threw the EU into deeper existential crisis.

Although the referendum was carried decisively by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result then agree to a rescue deal with creditors which proved to be more severe.

Final Straw

Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who drew media attention, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”

After Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency and distributing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate handling.”

He also wrote that Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.

This retelling of history has provoked fury and shock in some quarters, while Varoufakis has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.