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In a recently unveiled memoir, named Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits the turbulent era during Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Appointment

In Tsipras's recollections, he appointed that maverick academic Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly due to his international reputation along with his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a personality and less of an economist,” stated Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

The former leader suggests that Varoufakis possessed his own agenda which included promoting his books and testing out his own economic models on Greece rather than truly fighting for its economic stability.

Tsipras wrote how those discussions to prevent bankruptcy were “not only a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid volatile negotiations, the country found itself dangerously close to leaving the single currency area.

On the line was not only the country's destiny but also those harsh cutbacks demanded in exchange for rescue loans from foreign lenders.

Failed Alternatives

Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting Greece would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by U-Turn

In July 2015, those harsh conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action which plunged the EU into a deeper existential crisis.

Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by voters against the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders that proved to be tougher.

Breaking Point

Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

When the minister outlined a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

Within the book, the author asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”

He further claimed how his aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of events has provoked anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.