Benjamin Weber chuckles when asked about Chelsea's 2021 Champions League triumph, recalling his own words: "For sure, I told Mason to turn and deliver the pass." He was referring to Mason Mount’s decisive ball that set Kai Havertz up for the solitary goal against Manchester City. Weber’s career path is anything but ordinary. He spent several years as a tactical analyst under Thomas Tuchel, first at Mainz, then at Borussia Dortmund, and finally at Chelsea. He describes his time at Stamford Bridge as "the best period of my life" – a chapter that culminated in a historic European title.
"Winning that trophy was incredible," he says, "but I don’t want to overstate or understate my contribution." When Tuchel departed Chelsea for Bayern Munich, most of his staff followed, but the 43‑year‑old Weber chose a different direction. "After you fight for the Champions League and finally lift it, you start asking yourself what comes next," he explains. "You always need a new objective to chase." 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 on the sporting director position at FC Augsburg, a club that, while modest compared to his previous employers, has become a compelling success story in German football. Augsburg have now enjoyed sixteen straight seasons in the Bundesliga, a feat matched by only six other clubs in the league.
Last season, Weber’s inaugural campaign, marked a watershed moment: the team secured a top‑half finish for the first time in ten years. The achievement was even more striking because it came after a bold mid‑season coaching change. "It was a tough, emotional decision," Weber admits, "because I had been on the opposite side of the table as a player and understood the pressure.
It would have been easy to hide behind the status quo, but I felt we needed a different approach to get back on track." The club dismissed Sandro Wagner and promoted Manuel Baum from within, initially as a caretaker. That gamble paid off.
"We were struggling with results, but the underlying development was solid," Weber notes. "By the end of the season we were ninth, and the changes we made over the summer proved their worth." Having experienced the glare of top‑flight clubs in Paris and London, Weber now appreciates football from a more grounded perspective.
"At the bigger clubs the pressure is immense, but for me it was always about Thomas and the analytical side of the game," he says. At Paderborn, the stakes were different: "When you sign a player, you know the club's survival may hinge on that decision.
Losing a job at a small club while you have a family adds another layer of pressure." At Augsburg, his profile has risen, bringing both scrutiny and opportunity. "I was always the quiet analyst behind the scenes. Now I'm a bit more visible, but I don’t need the biggest stage. I just want to be part of the success, and also own the setbacks." Weber believes his first major decision – keeping Baum as head coach permanently – was the right one.
Baum had originally taken the role temporarily, intending to return to his development director duties. "Plans evolve," Weber says.
"He kept an open mind, and we all felt comfortable with the new arrangement. It's natural to reassess and adjust your perspective." What makes Weber valuable to Augsburg is his ability to view the club from multiple angles.
"I’ve spent my whole career analysing matches, and that insight can inform our recruitment strategy," he explains. "Understanding how coaches think is also a huge advantage." Augsburg’s ambitions must be measured against their resources.
The WWK Arena regularly hosts around 30,000 supporters – respectable, yet modest by Bundesliga standards. Weber emphasizes stability as the foundation for growth. "Stability isn’t glamorous, but it doesn’t mean standing still. We know we have to keep improving, and being seen as a perennial Bundesliga side helps us attract talent." Player recruitment is already bearing fruit.
The club turned Rodrigo Ribeiro’s loan from Sporting into a permanent deal after a promising season, secured Hennes Behrens from Hoffenheim, and added Sima Suso from Fortuna Düsseldorf. All three are 21‑year‑olds, underscoring Augsburg’s commitment to nurturing young talent.
"Players love coming to Augsburg because we offer a clear development pathway," Weber says. "We want to deepen our connection with the youth academy and make that our identity." Looking ahead, Weber is realistic yet optimistic.
"You don’t have to be crazy, but you should dream and have a vision," he advises. He points to stories like Sunderland’s resurgence in England or Brentford’s rise as examples of clubs that defied expectations. "Augsburg could become that story in Germany." The formula, according to Weber, is simple: work ethic, character, and a collective hunger to succeed. "If we all want to hunt together and become good hunters, we can climb step by step," he says.
The target may have shifted from simply surviving to aiming for European qualification, but Weber relishes the challenge. "In the end, I feel it was the right decision to join Augsburg and to make the choices we did. It’s a journey I’m proud to be part of."