DMCs

We don't get to choose that man. That's up to UEFA. It used to be up to the individual national associations but any more. However more seasons than not it will likely be that 3rd place gets the Europa League spot. Next season they would only need to win one out of two ties to make group stage football. The year after they'd be guaranteed it (unless our coefficient placing totally collapses this season but I can't see that happening).

There is no potential automatic spot next season as the effect of the improvements in the national coefficient is always delayed by a season. Maybe in season 22/23 but I actually think it's looking more likely that it won't be till 23/24. We already know what round every entrant from this season will be looking at: 1st - enters in the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions path of the CL 2nd - enters in the 2nd qualifying round of the non-Champions path of the CL CW (or 3rd if the Scottish Cup winners finish 1-3 in the league) - enters in the 3rd qualifying round of the EL 3rd and 4th - enter in the 2nd qualifying round of the Conference League I do agree with your general point though as it is clear that the path to the CL group stage for the team that wins the league is significantly easier so it makes exactly zero sense that Celtic would deliberately sabotage that. The reason for not qualifying twice under Lennon has more to do with daft mistakes either tactical and/or in terms of timing of recruitment.