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 find Kai Havertz, a pass that produced the decisive goal against Manchester City.
That anecdote captures a career that has spanned some of Europe’s most high‑profile clubs. Weber cut his teeth as an analyst under Thomas Tuchel at Mainz, then followed the German coach to Borussia Dortmund and later to the storied Chelsea side. He describes his time at Stamford Bridge as the "best period of his life" – a chapter that culminated in lifting the Champions League trophy, an achievement he modestly frames as "absolutely amazing, but I don’t want to over‑state my contribution." When Tuchel left Chelsea for Bayern Munich, many of his staff members opted to continue the partnership. 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. That mindset led him to accept the role of managing director at Paderborn, a club operating far from the limelight of London or Munich.
"I told Thomas it was a tough decision," Weber admits, reflecting on the personal and professional stakes involved. In 2025, Weber took on yet another challenge, becoming the sporting director of FC Augsburg. Augsburg is not a global powerhouse; it is a modest club that has nevertheless carved out a respectable niche in German football. The team has now enjoyed 16 consecutive seasons in the Bundesliga – a feat shared by only six other clubs in the league.
For a side of Augsburg’s stature, that consistency is a badge of honour. Weber’s first season at Augsburg turned out to be a watershed moment. The club achieved its first top‑half finish in ten years, a remarkable turnaround that coincided with a mid‑season coaching change.
"It was a very difficult and emotional decision," Weber recalls. "Having sat on the opposite side of the table, I knew how it felt to be under pressure.
It would have been easy to hide behind the status quo, but I felt compelled to act, even if the choice was unpopular." The club dismissed Sandro Wagner and promoted Manuel Baum, then the director of development, to the head‑coach position. Baum’s appointment was initially intended as a temporary fix, but the results spoke for themselves.
Augsburg climbed the table, ultimately finishing ninth despite a summer of significant personnel changes. "We struggled with results, but not with development," Weber says.
"In the end the gamble paid off." Transitioning from the glitz of Paris and London to the more restrained environment of a club like Augsburg has given Weber a fresh perspective on the sport. "At the bigger clubs there is immense pressure, but at smaller clubs the pressure is more personal," he notes. "When you sign a player and the club’s survival hinges on that decision, the stakes feel different. Losing a job at a modest club while you have a family adds another layer of stress." Now, as Augsburg’s sporting director, Weber finds himself under a brighter spotlight than he ever was as the "hidden guy" behind the scenes.
"I don’t need the biggest stage, but when we succeed I’m part of that success, and when we fail I’m part of that failure as well," he says. His first major decision – keeping Baum as the permanent head coach – appears to have been the right one.
"Plans can change," Weber admits. "Baum was open‑minded, and although we didn’t know if he would stay, we all felt comfortable with the direction we were heading." Weber believes his analytical background gives Augsburg a distinct advantage in recruitment and tactical planning.
"I have spent my whole career analysing matches, and that insight can be applied to scouting and player development. I also understand how coaches think, which helps bridge the gap between the board and the dressing room." But how far can a club of Augsburg’s size push its ambitions? The WWK Arena regularly hosts around 30,000 supporters – a solid figure, yet modest compared with the stadiums of Germany’s traditional giants. Weber’s answer is rooted in stability and steady growth rather than flashiness.
"Stability isn’t sexy, 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." A key part of that attraction is Augsburg’s reputation as a nurturing environment for young players. "Players love to come to Augsburg because it’s a good first step," Weber explains. The club aims to build a stronger link with its youth academy and position itself as a launchpad for emerging talent.
Recent moves illustrate that strategy: Rodrigo Ribeiro’s loan from Sporting CP 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 with potential to develop into first‑team regulars. Weber is realistic about the club’s limits but refuses to abandon ambition. "You don’t have to be crazy, but you need to dream a little and have a clear vision," he says.
He points to English examples such as Sunderland’s resurgence and Brentford’s rise as evidence that smaller clubs can rewrite their narratives. "Maybe Augsburg can become that story in Germany." The formula, according to Weber, is a blend of work ethic, character, and a collective hunger to succeed. "If you have those qualities, you can bring out the best in yourself and in the team.
We need to hunt together and be good hunters. Step by step, we can climb higher." Reflecting on his journey, Weber feels confident that his decision to join Augsburg was the right one. "In the end, I have the feeling it was a good decision," he concludes, ready to continue shaping the club’s future while enjoying the unique challenges that come with leading a modest yet ambitious Bundesliga side.