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In a recently unveiled autobiography, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines that chaotic period during Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Choice

According to the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras chose that maverick academic Varoufakis to be the finance minister primarily due to the latter's global profile and his very persuasive skills as a communicator.

“He was, actually, more like a star and less of an economist,” recalled Tsipras.

Conflicting Agendas

Tsipras claims that his finance chief had his own motives which involved promoting his books and experimenting with his own game theories on Greece instead of truly advocating the country's economic stability.

He noted that those discussions to avoid insolvency became “not only a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”

High-Stakes Talks

Amid volatile negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

At stake was both Greece's future and those severe austerity measures required in exchange for financial aid by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

Attempts to find financing from other sources, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.

Helping Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum and U-Turn

That summer, the harsh conditions were put to a public vote, an action which plunged Europe into deeper crisis of identity.

Although the referendum was won decisively by voters against the cuts, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal from creditors that turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.

“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

When the minister outlined a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was game over and asked him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Criticism

In the memoir, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required intricate and delicate handling.”

Tsipras further wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit.

The retelling of events has provoked anger and shock in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.