Benjamin Weber chuckles when asked about Chelsea’s 2021 Champions League triumph, recalling the decisive moment when he instructed Mason Mount to “turn and play the pass.” It was Mount’s clever ball that set up Kai Havertz for the solitary goal that secured the title against Manchester City. Weber’s career in football analysis began alongside Thomas Tuchel, spanning stints at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and finally Chelsea. He describes his time at Stamford Bridge as "the best period of my life," adding that winning the Champions League was "absolutely amazing" and that he prefers not to overstate or understate his contribution.
While many of Tuchel’s staff followed him to Bayern Munich and later ventures, Weber, now 43, chose a different route. "When you fight for the Champions League and finally win it, what more can you ask for? You always need a new objective," he explains.
This mindset led him to leave Chelsea and accept the role of managing director at Paderborn, a decision he admits was difficult to convey to Tuchel. In 2025 he took the next step, becoming sporting director of Augsburg, a club that, while modest compared to his previous employers, has become a notable success story in German football. Augsburg have now enjoyed 16 straight seasons in the Bundesliga – a feat shared by only six other clubs.
Weber’s first season at Augsburg proved to be a watershed moment. The team achieved its first top‑half finish in ten years, a remarkable turnaround that coincided with a mid‑season coaching change. "It was a very tough and emotional decision," Weber says, noting that he had previously sat on the opposite side of the table and understood the pressure of making bold moves.
"It would have been easy to hide behind the status quo, but I’m here to make hard decisions when they’re needed." The club dismissed Sandro Wagner and promoted Manuel Baum from within. Baum, originally appointed on a temporary basis while retaining his duties as director of development, soon proved his worth and was given the permanent head‑coach role. Weber reflects, "We had problems with results, not with development.
In the end we finished ninth, and the changes we made last summer paid off." Transitioning from the glamour of Paris and London to the more intimate environment of a club like Augsburg has given Weber a fresh perspective on football’s pressures. At larger clubs, the spotlight is relentless, yet he admits that his relationship with Tuchel always provided a safety net.
At Paderborn, the stakes were different: "When you sign a player knowing the club’s survival depends on that decision, the pressure is palpable. Losing a job at a smaller club while supporting a family adds another layer of stress." At Augsburg, his profile has risen, and he now finds himself more visible: "I was always the hidden guy in football; now I’m stepping into the light. I don’t need the biggest stage, but when we succeed I’m part of it, and when we fail I’m also accountable." Weber believes his analytical background gives him a unique advantage in recruitment and in understanding a coach’s mindset.
He hopes this dual insight will help Augsburg punch above its weight. The WWK Arena regularly hosts around 30,000 fans – a respectable figure but modest by Bundesliga standards.
Still, Weber argues that stability is Augsburg’s secret weapon. "Stability isn’t flashy, but it doesn’t mean stagnation. It means we can keep improving and avoid the roller‑coaster that many mid‑table clubs experience," he says. The club’s strategy revolves around becoming a hub for young talent.
Recent signings illustrate this approach: Rodrigo Ribeiro’s loan from Sporting was converted into a permanent deal after an impressive 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 promising players and linking them closely with the youth academy. When asked whether Augsburg should aim higher, Weber stresses the importance of dreaming without losing touch with reality. "You don’t have to be crazy, but you need a vision.
Look at Sunderland’s rise or Brentford’s story in England – there are many inspiring examples. Augsburg could become a similar narrative in Germany," he suggests. He emphasizes work ethic and character as the foundation for any future success: "If you have those traits, you can bring out the best in yourself and hunt for the top together. Step by step, we can climb." In summary, Weber feels confident that his decision to join Augsburg was the right one.
He enjoys the blend of analytical rigor, hands‑on recruitment, and the chance to shape a club’s identity from the inside. While the journey ahead will demand perseverance, the combination of stability, a clear youth‑development focus, and a willingness to make bold choices positions Augsburg to continue defying expectations in the Bundesliga.