Benjamin Weber often laughs when the subject of Chelsea's 2021 Champions League triumph comes up. "For sure," he says, recalling the moment he urged Mason Mount to deliver the decisive pass to Kai Havertz, a ball that ultimately produced the solitary goal against Manchester City. Weber's connection to that historic night runs deep: he served as a tactical analyst for Thomas Tuchel during the coach's spells at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund, and finally Chelsea.
He describes his time at Stamford Bridge as "the best period of my life," adding that the victory was "absolutely amazing" and that he prefers not to overstate or understate his contribution. When Tuchel departed Chelsea for Bayern Munich, most of his staff followed, but Weber, now 43, chose a different direction.
"After you fight for the Champions League and finally win it, you have to ask yourself what comes next," he explains. "You always need a new objective." That mindset led him to accept the role of managing director at Paderborn, a decision he admits was difficult to convey to Tuchel. After a stint in Paderborn, Weber took on a new challenge in 2025 as the sporting director of FC 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 consecutive seasons in the Bundesliga, a feat shared by only six other clubs in the league. Weber's first season at the club proved particularly rewarding: Augsburg achieved their first top‑half finish in a decade. The turnaround came despite, or perhaps because of, a bold mid‑season coaching change.
"It was a very difficult and emotional decision," Weber admits, noting that he had previously sat on the opposite side of the table and understood the pressure players and coaches feel. "It would have been easy to hide behind the status quo, but I am here to make tough decisions when they are needed." The club replaced Sandro Wagner with Manuel Baum, a move that sparked a revival. Weber explains that while the team struggled with results, its underlying development remained solid.
By the season's end, Augsburg sat ninth in the table, a respectable position after a summer of significant changes. For Weber, the experience of working at football's biggest stages in Paris and London now contrasts with the more intimate pressures of a club like Augsburg.
"At the larger clubs there is immense pressure, but at a smaller club the pressure is personal – you have a family, a livelihood to protect," he says. At Augsburg, Weber's profile has risen. "I used to be the hidden guy in football, working behind the scenes.
Now I am more in the spotlight, but I don't need the biggest stage. When we succeed, I share the credit; when we fail, I share the responsibility," he reflects. His first major decision – backing Baum as a permanent head coach after an initially temporary appointment – appears to have paid off. "Plans can change," Weber notes.
"Baum kept an open mind, and we all felt comfortable with the new arrangement. It is natural to adapt your perspective as circumstances evolve." Weber believes his analytical background gives him a unique edge in recruitment and overall sporting strategy. "I have spent my whole career analyzing games, and I can bring that insight into how we identify and sign players.
I also understand how coaches think, which helps bridge the gap between the board and the dressing room," he says. Augsburg's ambitions must be measured against the realities of a club whose home stadium, the WWK Arena, seats around 30,000 fans – respectable but modest by Bundesliga standards. Weber emphasizes stability as the foundation of their growth.
"Stability is not glamorous, but it is not synonymous with stagnation. It means we can keep improving without the constant upheaval that plagues many clubs," he explains. He wants Augsburg to be known as a place where young talent can flourish, linking the first team more closely with the youth academy.
Recent transfer activity reflects that philosophy. Rodrigo Ribeiro, initially on loan from Sporting CP, earned a permanent contract after a promising season. Hennes Behrens arrived from Hoffenheim, and Sima Suso was signed from Fortuna Düsseldorf; all three are 21‑year‑olds, underscoring Augsburg's commitment to nurturing youthful prospects. "Players love to come to Augsburg because they see a clear pathway to develop and showcase their abilities," Weber says.
"We want to be a club that stands for player growth and development." Looking ahead, Weber is realistic yet optimistic. He draws inspiration from English clubs like Sunderland and Brentford, which have written remarkable underdog stories.
"You don't have to be crazy, but you need to dream and have a vision," he advises. "Work ethic and character are essential. If we all hunt together, step by step, we can aim higher than people expect." In summary, Weber feels his decision to join Augsburg was the right one. He enjoys the blend of analytical rigor, hands‑on recruitment, and the satisfaction of helping a modest club punch above its weight.
As he puts it, "In the end, I have the feeling it was a good decision."