Benjamin Weber often chuckles when people bring up Chelsea's 2021 Champions League triumph. "For sure," he says, recalling the moment he told Mason Mount to turn and deliver the decisive pass to Kai Havertz, the strike that settled the final against Manchester City. Weber’s connection to that iconic goal runs deeper than most fans realize; he was an analyst on Thomas Tuchel’s staff during the spell at Mainz, later at Borussia Dortmund, and finally at Chelsea.
He describes his time at Stamford Bridge as "the best period of my life," adding that lifting the European crown was "absolutely amazing" and that he prefers not to overstate or understate his contribution. When Tuchel departed for Bayern Munich, many of his backroom team followed, but Weber, now 43, chose a different route. "After fighting for the Champions League and finally winning it, you start to wonder what comes next. You always need a new objective," he explains.
That mindset led him to accept the role of managing director at Paderborn, a decision he admits was difficult to convey to his former boss. In 2025 he took the next step, becoming sporting director of FC Augsburg, a club that, while modest compared to Chelsea or Dortmund, has built a respectable reputation in German football.
Augsburg have now enjoyed 16 straight seasons in the Bundesliga – a feat shared by only six other German clubs. Weber’s inaugural season at Augsburg turned out to be a landmark one. The club achieved its first top‑half finish in ten years, a turnaround that coincided with a bold mid‑season coaching change. "It was a very tough decision," Weber admits, noting the emotional weight of sitting on the opposite side of the table from where he had spent most of his career.
"It would have been easy to hide behind the numbers, but I’m here to make hard choices when they’re needed. We needed a fresh approach to get back on track." The club dismissed Sandro Wagner and promoted Manuel Baum, who had been working internally as director of development, to the head‑coach position. Baum’s appointment proved decisive: Augsburg climbed to ninth place, despite a turbulent summer filled with player turnover.
Weber reflects that the team’s performance problems were resolved not by a sudden influx of talent but by a shift in mentality and consistency. Having experienced the pressure cooker of elite clubs in Paris and London, Weber now enjoys a different perspective at Augsburg.
"At the bigger clubs there is immense pressure, but for me it was always about Thomas and the collective goal," he says. At Paderborn he learned that signing the right player can be a matter of survival, and that losing a job at a smaller club can have personal ramifications, especially with a family to consider. At Augsburg his profile is higher, and he feels more visible: "I was always the hidden guy in football, now I’m stepping a little more into the light.
It’s not the biggest stage, and I don’t need that, but when we succeed I’m part of it, and when we fail I’m also part of it." Weber believes his analytical background gives him a unique edge in recruitment. "I’ve spent my whole career analysing matches, tactics and players. That insight can be valuable when we scout talent, and I understand how coaches think, which helps bridge the gap between the board and the dressing room," he explains.
The challenge, however, is to translate that advantage into tangible progress for a club that draws around 30,000 fans to the WWK Arena – respectable, but modest by Bundesliga standards. Stability is the word Weber uses most often when describing Augsburg’s philosophy. "Stable doesn’t sound glamorous, but it doesn’t mean we’re standing still," he says. The club aims to improve continuously, positioning itself as a reliable destination for young players looking to develop.
"Players love to come to Augsburg because we offer a clear pathway to first‑team football," Weber notes. The club has recently turned several loan deals into permanent signings: Rodrigo Ribeiro from Sporting CP, Hennes Behrens from Hoffenheim, and Sima Suso from Fortuna Düsseldorf – all 21‑year‑olds who embody Augsburg’s ambition to be a hub for emerging talent.
Looking ahead, Weber is realistic yet optimistic. "You don’t have to be crazy, but you need to dream a little and have a vision," he says, pointing to English examples like Sunderland’s resurgence and Brentford’s rise as models of clubs punching above their weight. He believes Augsburg can write a similar story in Germany if they combine work ethic, character and a collective hunger for success.
"When you have those qualities, you can bring out the best in yourself and in the team. We have to want to hunt together and be good hunters, then we can progress step by step." In summary, Weber’s decision to leave the glamour of top‑flight clubs for a more grounded role at Augsburg appears to be paying dividends. He feels confident that his analytical expertise, combined with a willingness to make bold decisions – like backing Baum as a permanent coach – will continue to shape Augsburg’s identity as a stable, ambitious, and talent‑focused Bundesliga side.
"In the end, I feel it was the right move," he concludes, looking forward to the next chapter of Augsburg’s journey.