Benjamin Weber often chuckles when someone brings up Chelsea's 2021 Champions League triumph. "For sure," he says, recalling the moment he told Mason Mount to turn and play the pass that led to Kai Havertz's decisive strike against Manchester City. That tiny exchange captures a career that has spanned some of Europe’s most demanding football environments. Weber served as an analyst for Thomas Tuchel at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and later at Chelsea, describing his time at Stamford Bridge as "the best period of my life." He admits that winning the Champions League was "absolutely amazing" and that he prefers not to overstate or understate his contribution.
When Tuchel departed Chelsea for Bayern Munich, many of his staff followed. Weber, now 43, chose a different route.
"When you fight for the Champions League and finally win it, what else is there to strive for? You always need a new objective," he explains.
That mindset led him to accept the role of managing director at Paderborn, a decision he confided to Tuchel as "tough" but necessary for his own growth. In 2025 he took another step forward, becoming the sporting director of Bundesliga side Augsburg. "I don’t work just to work; I was curious enough to try something different," Weber says.
Augsburg may lack the global brand of Chelsea or Bayern, but the club has carved out a remarkable niche in German football. The team has now enjoyed 16 consecutive seasons in the top flight, a feat matched by only five other clubs. Last season, Weber’s inaugural campaign with Augsburg, the club achieved its first top‑half finish in a decade.
That success came despite a bold mid‑season coaching change, a decision many would have considered risky. "It was very difficult and emotional because I had been on the other side of the table," Weber admits. "I know how it feels to be under pressure.
It would have been easy to hide, but I’m here to make tough decisions when they’re needed. We needed something different to get back on track." The club dismissed Sandro Wagner and promoted Manuel Baum from within. Baum, initially appointed on a temporary basis while still overseeing development, proved the right fit. Under his guidance Augsburg climbed to ninth place, a clear sign that the gamble paid off.
Weber reflects on the contrast between the high‑pressure environments of Paris and London and the more intimate challenges of a club like Augsburg. "At the bigger clubs there was a lot of pressure, but for me personally it was always Thomas. I could hide," he says, noting that at Paderborn he felt the weight of every recruitment decision: "When you sign a player and you know the club will only survive if it’s the right player, that is pressure. When you lose your job at a small club and you have a family, that is pressure too." Now, as Augsburg’s sporting director, Weber finds his profile elevated.
"There is more focus on me personally now. I was always a bit of a hidden figure in football, but now I’m a little more in the light.
I don’t need the biggest stage, but when we succeed I’m part of it, and when we fail I’m part of it as well." This humility underpins his strategic outlook. He believes his analytical background offers a competitive edge in recruitment and that his understanding of a coach’s mindset helps bridge the gap between the board and the dugout.
Augsburg’s ambitions must be measured against its resources. The WWK Arena regularly draws around 30,000 fans—respectable, yet modest compared with Bundesliga giants.
Weber emphasizes stability as a cornerstone of the club’s philosophy. "Stable doesn’t sound sexy, but it doesn’t mean standing still. We understand we have to keep improving," he explains.
By positioning Augsburg as a stable yet progressive environment, the club hopes to attract young talent eager for development and playing time. The club’s recent transfer activity reflects that vision.
Rodrigo Ribeiro, initially on loan from Sporting CP, earned a permanent deal after a promising season. Hennes Behrens arrived from Hoffenheim, and Sima Suso joined from Fortuna Düsseldorf; all three are 21‑year‑olds, underscoring Augsburg’s commitment to nurturing youthful prospects. "Players love to come to Augsburg; it’s a good first step," Weber says. "We want to build a stronger connection with our youth academy and make that our identity." When asked how far this model can take Augsburg, Weber is cautiously optimistic.
"You don’t have to be crazy, but you need to dream a little, have a vision," he notes, pointing to English examples like Sunderland’s resurgence and Brentford’s rise as inspiration. "Maybe Augsburg can become that story in Germany." He stresses that success hinges on work ethic and character. "If you have those traits, they bring out the best in you and you can hunt to get to the top. We have to want to hunt together and be good hunters.
Then we can maybe go step by step." This incremental approach differs from chasing immediate glory; instead, it focuses on building a sustainable culture that can gradually elevate the club. Looking back, Weber feels confident that his decision to join Augsburg was the right one. "In the end, I have the feeling it was a good decision," he concludes, hinting that the club’s future may hold even greater achievements as it continues to blend analytical rigor, youthful energy, and a stable foundation.