Benjamin Weber often chuckles when someone mentions Chelsea's 2021 Champions League triumph. "Absolutely," he says, recalling the moment he urged Mason Mount to deliver a pass that would set up Kai Havertz for the decisive strike against Manchester City. That tiny instruction became part of football folklore, and for Weber it symbolizes a career that has spanned some of Europe’s most high‑profile clubs.
Weber cut his teeth as a tactical analyst under Thomas Tuchel, first at Mainz, then at Borussia Dortmund, and finally at Chelsea. He has described his stint at Stamford Bridge as "the best years of my life," adding that winning the Champions League was "absolutely amazing" and that he prefers not to overstate or understate his contribution. While many of his colleagues followed Tuchel on to Bayern Munich and other elite projects, the 43‑year‑old chose a different route. "When you fight for the Champions League and finally lift it, you start asking yourself what comes next.
You always need a new objective," he explains. That mindset led Weber to accept the role of managing director at Paderborn, a decision he admits was difficult to communicate to his former boss.
After a few years in the 2. Bundesliga, he accepted a new challenge in 2025 as sporting director of FC Augsburg.
"I don't work just to work. I was curious enough to try something different," he says. Augsburg may not have the global brand of Chelsea or Dortmund, but the club has quietly built a reputation for consistency. It now boasts sixteen straight seasons in the German top flight, a feat shared by only a handful of other clubs.
Weber’s inaugural season at Augsburg turned out to be a landmark one. The team achieved its first top‑half finish in a decade, a success that came despite—or perhaps because of—a bold mid‑season coaching change. "It was a very tough decision, emotionally charged because I had been on the opposite side of the table before.
It would have been easy to hide behind the numbers, but I felt I had to make the hard call," Weber recalls. The club dismissed Sandro Wagner and promoted Manuel Baum, then the director of development, to the head‑coach position. The gamble paid off: Augsburg climbed to ninth place, stabilising after a turbulent summer of player turnover.
For Weber, the shift from the glamour of Paris and London to the more modest surroundings of Augsburg offers a fresh perspective on football’s pressures. At the biggest clubs, the spotlight is relentless, but the expectations are often shared among a large staff. At a smaller club, the weight falls more directly on the individuals.
"When you sign a player and know the club's survival depends on that decision, that's pressure," he says. "Losing a job at a small club while you have a family is another kind of pressure." Now, as Augsburg’s sporting director, Weber finds himself more visible than ever. "I was always the hidden guy in football.
Now I'm a little more in the light. I don’t need the biggest stage, but when we succeed I’m part of it, and when we fail I’m part of it too," he admits. His first major decision—keeping Baum as permanent head coach—has already been vindicated.
Baum was originally appointed on a temporary basis, with the expectation that he would return to his development role. Yet the chemistry with the squad and the results convinced Weber and the board to make the appointment permanent. "Plans can change," Weber notes.
"He kept an open mind, and we all felt comfortable with the new direction." Weber believes his analytical background gives him a unique edge in recruitment and in understanding what coaches need. "I have spent my whole life doing analysis, so I can bring that perspective to player scouting. I also know how coaches think, which helps bridge the gap between the board and the dressing room," he explains. Augsburg’s strategy reflects that philosophy: the club wants to become a hub for young talent, offering a clear pathway from the academy to the first team.
The club’s fan base, roughly 30,000 strong at the WWK Arena, may not rival the massive followings of Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund, but it is passionate and growing. Weber sees stability as a cornerstone of Augsburg’s ambition.
"Stability isn’t glamorous, but it doesn’t mean standing still. It means we have a platform to improve continuously," he says. By positioning themselves as a stable environment that nurtures players, Augsburg hopes to attract ambitious youngsters who want regular playing time and a chance to develop. Recent transfer activity under Weber underscores this vision.
The loan of Rodrigo Ribeiro from Sporting CP was made permanent after a promising season, while 21‑year‑old Hennes Behrens arrived from Hoffenheim and Sima Suso signed from Fortuna Düsseldorf. All three are young, hungry, and represent the club’s commitment to building a squad that can grow together. Looking ahead, Weber is realistic yet optimistic about Augsburg’s ceiling. "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 proof that clubs with modest resources can write compelling stories. "Maybe Augsburg can become that story in Germany," he muses.
The core of his message is simple: 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 have to want to hunt together and be good hunters. Then we can move step by step toward higher goals," Weber explains.
The target may have shifted from chasing titles to establishing a sustainable, competitive presence in the Bundesliga, but the excitement is palpable. In the end, Weber feels confident that his decision to join Augsburg was the right one.
"I have the feeling it was a good decision," he concludes, smiling at the prospect of continuing to shape a club that punches above its weight while staying true to its values.