Benjamin Weber chuckles when asked whether Chelsea would clinch the Champions League in 2021. "I told Mason to turn and play the pass," he recalls, referring to Mason Mount’s assist that set up Kai Havertz for the solitary goal against Manchester City in the final.
Weber’s connection to that moment runs deep: he served as a tactical analyst for Thomas Tuchel during the coach’s spells at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and, most famously, Chelsea. He describes his years at Stamford Bridge as "the best period of my life," adding that winning the European crown was "absolutely amazing" and that he prefers not to over‑ or under‑state his contribution.
While many of Tuchel’s staff followed him on to Bayern Munich and beyond, the 43‑year‑old Weber 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 prompted him to step away from the elite stage and accept the role of managing director at Paderborn.
"I told Thomas it was a tough decision," he says, recalling the conversation that marked his departure from the Premier League. In 2025 he took another leap, 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’s recent history is impressive: the team has now enjoyed sixteen straight seasons in the Bundesliga, a feat matched by only six other clubs. Weber’s first season there proved to be a watershed moment. The club achieved its first top‑half finish in a decade, a milestone that came despite, or perhaps because of, a mid‑season coaching change – a bold move that many would have deemed risky. "It was very difficult and emotional," Weber admits, noting that he had previously sat on the opposite side of the table and understood the pressure of such decisions.
"It would have been easy to hide, but I’m here to make the tough calls. 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.
The change sparked a turnaround: Augsburg climbed to ninth place, vindicating the gamble and confirming that the new leadership had sparked a revival. For Weber, the contrast between the high‑pressure environments of Paris and London and the more intimate setting of a club like Augsburg is stark. "At the bigger clubs there is relentless scrutiny, but at a smaller outfit the pressure is personal – you know the family, you know the community," he reflects. At Paderborn he learned that signing the right player could be a matter of survival, a lesson that now informs his recruitment strategy at Augsburg.
His profile has risen alongside the club’s fortunes. "I was always the hidden guy in football, but now I’m a bit more in the spotlight. I don’t need the biggest stage; I just want to be part of the success and, when things go wrong, own that too," he says. The decision to keep Baum as permanent head coach illustrates his flexible thinking.
Originally appointed temporarily with the expectation of returning to his development director role, Baum proved his worth and earned the full-time job. "Plans can change," Weber notes. "He kept an open mind, and we all felt comfortable with the outcome.
It’s human to adapt your perspective." Weber believes his analytical background gives Augsburg an edge. "I’ve spent my whole career analysing matches, and that insight can feed into recruitment and scouting.
Understanding how coaches think is also valuable." But how far can a club of Augsburg’s size go? The WWK Arena regularly draws around 30,000 fans – respectable, yet modest by Bundesliga standards. Weber’s answer is rooted in stability and ambition. "Stability isn’t glamorous, but it isn’t stagnation either.
We know we must keep improving, and being seen as a perennial Bundesliga side helps us attract talent." He emphasizes the club’s growing reputation as a developer of young players. "Players love coming to Augsburg because we offer a clear pathway. We want to strengthen our ties to the youth academy and make that our identity." Recent moves illustrate that philosophy: Rodrigo Ribeiro’s loan from Sporting Lisbon was turned into a permanent deal after a promising spell, while 21‑year‑old Hennes Behrens arrived from Hoffenheim and Sima Suso joined from Fortuna Düsseldorf. All three are seen as future pillars of the squad.
When asked whether Augsburg should aim higher, Weber is cautiously optimistic. "You don’t have to be crazy, but you need to dream a little and have a vision. Look at Sunderland in England or Brentford – those are stories of clubs punching above their weight.
Augsburg could become that story in Germany." He stresses the importance of work ethic and character. "If you have those traits, you can bring out the best in yourself and in the team. We need to hunt together, be good hunters, and then maybe we can climb step by step." The target has shifted from merely surviving to gradually building a competitive side that can challenge the traditional powerhouses. In the end, Weber feels his decision to join Augsburg was the right one.
"I have the feeling it was a good decision," he concludes, looking ahead to a future where the club continues to blend analytical rigor with youthful energy, aiming to write the next chapter of its ambitious Bundesliga journey.