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Within his newly released memoir, called Ithaki, the ex- premier Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he reflects on that chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.

An Unconventional Appointment

As per the ex-PM's recollections, he appointed the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be the treasury head primarily due to his global profile and Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities when it came to public orator.

“He was, in reality, more like a star rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Agendas

The former leader alleges how Varoufakis possessed his own motives that involved promoting his publications and testing out his own game theories on Greece instead of truly advocating its financial survival.

He noted that those talks to stave off bankruptcy were “not only a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”

High-Stakes Negotiations

Amid rollercoaster discussions, the country came dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

At stake lay not only Greece's destiny but also those harsh cutbacks demanded in exchange for financial aid by foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to find financing elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote and U-Turn

In July 2015, the harsh conditions were put to a popular referendum, an action which plunged the EU into deeper existential crisis.

Although the vote was won resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal with creditors that turned out to be even harsher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”

After the minister outlined a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency and issuing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”

Lasting Criticism

Within the book, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and delicate handling.”

Tsipras also claimed how his aggressive approach made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.

This retelling of events has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.