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In a freshly published personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Tsipras pulls no punches as he revisits the chaotic period of Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Appointment

As per Tsipras's version, he appointed the unorthodox economist Varoufakis as his finance minister largely due to the latter's global profile along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.

“In reality, he was, actually, more of a star rather than an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Clashing Priorities

The former leader suggests that Varoufakis had a personal agenda which included promoting his publications as well as testing out his game theories on Greece rather than genuinely fighting for its financial survival.

He explained that the negotiations to prevent insolvency were “not only a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They were a test, a monumental chance to prove the validity of his economic theories.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid volatile negotiations, the country came perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.

At stake was not only the country's destiny but also those severe cutbacks required in return for bailout funds from foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Options

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

Assisting Greece was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, those harsh bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move which plunged the EU into deeper crisis of identity.

Although the vote was carried decisively by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister had little option but to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal with creditors that proved to be more severe.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the face of negotiation, the man who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”

When the minister outlined a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

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

Tsipras further claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners who were advocating Grexit.

This retelling of history has been met with fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.