Benjamin Weber often chuckles when people bring up Chelsea's 2021 Champions League triumph. "I told Mason to turn and play the pass," he recalls, referring to Mason Mount's clever ball that set up Kai Havertz for the solitary goal against Manchester City. Weber served as an analyst for Thomas Tuchel during the manager's spells at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea, and he describes his time at Stamford Bridge as "the best period of my life." He adds that winning the Champions League was "absolutely amazing," and he prefers not to overstate or understate his contribution. When Tuchel left Chelsea for Bayern Munich, most of his staff followed.
Weber, now 43, chose a different direction. "After fighting for the Champions League and finally winning it, you start asking what comes next.
You always need a new objective," he explains. Consequently, he resigned to become managing director of Paderborn, a decision he admits was difficult to convey to Tuchel.
In 2025 he accepted the role of sporting director at Augsburg, a club that, while modest compared to his former employers, has become a noteworthy success story in German football. Augsburg have now enjoyed 16 straight seasons in the Bundesliga, a feat matched by only six other clubs.
Weber's inaugural season at Augsburg proved to be a landmark one. The team achieved its first top‑half finish in ten years, a milestone that came despite—perhaps because of—a mid‑campaign coaching change.
"It was a very tough and emotional decision," Weber says. "I have sat on the opposite side of the table, so I understand the pressure.
It would have been easy to hide, but my job is to make the hard calls when they are needed." The club dismissed Sandro Wagner and promoted Manuel Baum from within. The switch turned the season around.
"We struggled with results and performance, but not with development. In the end we finished ninth after a summer of changes, and it worked," Weber notes. Having experienced the intense scrutiny at clubs like Paris Saint‑Germain and Chelsea, Weber now appreciates the contrasting pressures of smaller outfits.
"At the big clubs there is massive pressure, but for me it was always about Thomas. I could stay in the background," he admits.
At Paderborn he learned that signing the right player can be a matter of survival, and losing a job at a modest club can feel personal when you have a family to support. At Augsburg his profile is higher, and he feels the spotlight is brighter. "I used to be the hidden guy in football. Now I'm a bit more in the light.
I don't need the biggest stage, but when we succeed I share the credit, and when we fail I share the blame." Weber believes his first major decision—keeping Baum as permanent head coach—was the right one. Baum had initially taken the role temporarily, intending to return to his position as director of development. "Plans can change," Weber says. "He kept an open mind, and we all felt comfortable with the outcome.
It's human to reassess your perspective." In Weber, Augsburg have a sporting director who can view the club from multiple angles. "I have spent my whole career analysing the game, so I can bring that insight into recruitment. I also understand how coaches think, which is an advantage," he explains. The challenge remains: how far can a club of Augsburg's size go?
The WWK Arena regularly hosts around 30,000 supporters—respectable, yet modest by Bundesliga standards. Weber defines ambition for a club that often punches above its weight as stability combined with continual improvement. "Stability doesn't sound glamorous, but it doesn't mean standing still.
We know we must keep getting better," he says. Attracting players is a key part of Augsburg's strategy. "Players love coming to Augsburg because we offer a clear pathway for development," Weber notes. The club aims to strengthen its link with the youth academy and position itself as a nurturing ground for talent.
Recent moves illustrate this philosophy: Rodrigo Ribeiro's loan from Sporting was made permanent 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 youthful prospects. Looking ahead, Weber believes the club can dream bigger without losing its sense of realism. "You don't have to be crazy, but you need a vision and a bit of dreaming," he says, citing the stories of Sunderland and Brentford in England as examples of clubs that have exceeded expectations.
"Augsburg could become a similar story in Germany." He stresses that work ethic and character are essential ingredients. "When you have those qualities, they bring out the best in you and you can hunt for success together. If we all become good hunters, we can climb step by step," Weber concludes.
The target may have shifted from immediate glory to sustainable growth, but Weber relishes the challenge. "In the end, I feel it was the right decision to join Augsburg and to steer the club toward a brighter future."