Not really sure what the story is there like.
A coaching team informs a manager of how the other team is likely to set up. I mean, that's just normal practice isn't it? Shock horror that McClaren assigned some of his staff to work on how the opposition play.
The captain part is a nothing story too, of course someone who has played regularly in that league will share information to the manager who is from a different country. I mean, I'm sure John Terry may occasionally tell Conte how English teams are likely to set up.