i dont exactly see why he's confiding in you to be honest I mean if you're not having anything to do with the firing then it is just at least perpetuating rumours to spread.

unless he is testing you....

one thing i will say is that if this new guy is doing considerably better than the dude thats been there longer then it's tuff titty for the old dude. the boss has to keep the most productive members of staff.

if my boss started talking to me about people she was going to fire or talkign behind peoples backs i'd politely tell her that i didnt really think it was any of my business and i wasn't necesarilly the best person to talk to about it.

on the other hand im just glad where i am there, i might approach it differently if i wanted to climb up the ladder. BUT bear that in mind, this guy is obviusly ready willign and able to dick people over, you never know when it could be you....