Benjamin Weber often jokes, "For sure," when reminiscing about Chelsea's 2021 Champions League triumph. He recalls telling Mason Mount, "Turn and play the pass," which led to Kai Havertz’s decisive goal against Manchester City. Weber’s résumé includes analyst roles for Thomas Tuchel at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and, most memorably, Chelsea.
He describes his stint at Stamford Bridge as the pinnacle of his career, saying, "Winning that title was absolutely amazing. I don’t want to overstate or understate my contribution." While many of his colleagues followed Tuchel to Bayern Munich and beyond, the 43‑year‑old 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.
After the victory, Weber decided to leave Chelsea and accepted the managing‑director position at Paderborn. "I told Thomas it was a tough decision," he admits. In 2025 he took on another challenge, becoming the sporting director of Augsburg, a club that, while modest compared to his previous employers, has become a notable success story in German football. Augsburg have now enjoyed sixteen straight seasons in the Bundesliga – a feat shared by only six other German clubs.
Weber’s first season at Augsburg turned out to be a landmark one. The team secured its first top‑half finish in a decade, a remarkable achievement given that the club made a bold mid‑season coaching change. "It was very difficult and emotional because I’ve been on the other side of the table. I know what that feels like.
It would have been easy to hide, but I’m here to make the tough calls," Weber says. The decision to replace Sandro Wagner with Manuel Baum proved decisive.
Under Baum, Augsburg reversed a slump, finishing ninth despite a summer of extensive personnel changes. The move from the glamour of Paris and London to the more modest environs of Augsburg has given Weber a fresh perspective on football.
"At the bigger clubs there was immense pressure, but for me it was always about Thomas. I could hide behind him," he reflects. At Paderborn he learned that signing the right player could be a matter of survival, a pressure that intensifies when a family’s livelihood is at stake. At Augsburg, his profile has risen: "People focus more on me now.
I was always the hidden guy in football, but 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 also responsible." One of Weber’s first major decisions – appointing Baum, initially a temporary internal appointment – turned out to be a masterstroke. Baum has now been given the permanent head‑coach role. "Plans can change," Weber notes.
"He kept an open mind. We didn’t know if it would work, but we all felt comfortable. It’s human to adjust your perspective." Weber believes his analytical background gives Augsburg a competitive edge in recruitment and coaching. "I’ve spent my whole life analysing the game.
I can bring that into our scouting and maybe that’s an advantage. I also understand how coaches think, which helps." Augsburg’s fanbase of roughly 30,000 fills the WWK Arena each match – respectable, yet modest by Bundesliga standards.
The club’s ambition is not to become a global powerhouse overnight, but to build a stable, progressive platform. "Stability isn’t sexy, but it doesn’t mean standing still," Weber says.
"We want to keep improving and shed the image of being perennial mid‑tableers." Player development is a cornerstone of the club’s strategy. "Players love coming to Augsburg; it’s a good first step," Weber explains. The club aims to be known for nurturing talent and forging stronger links with its youth academy. Recent signings illustrate this philosophy: Rodrigo Ribeiro’s loan from Sporting was converted into a permanent deal after a promising season, while 21‑year‑old Hennes Behrens arrived from Hoffenheim and Sima Suso joined from Fortuna Düsseldorf.
All three represent Augsburg’s commitment to being a home for young, ambitious players. 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. He points to English examples such as Sunderland’s resurgence and Brentford’s rise as inspirations.
"Maybe Augsburg can become a similar story in Germany." The sporting director emphasizes character and work ethic as the club’s core values. "If you have those traits, you can bring out the best in yourself and hunt for success together. We need to be good hunters and climb step by step," he adds. While the ultimate target may have shifted from chasing Champions League glory to establishing a sustainable, competitive side, Weber relishes the challenge.
"In the end, I feel it was the right decision," he concludes. Weber’s journey from Chelsea’s analytical rooms to Augsburg’s boardroom illustrates how a former behind‑the‑scenes specialist can shape a club’s identity, blend data‑driven insight with human intuition, and inspire a modest club to punch above its weight in the fiercely competitive landscape of German football.