West Ham’s assistant coach, Paco Jemez, recently took a playful jab at Frank Ilett, a Manchester United supporter whose hair has become a symbol of hope and endurance. Ilett, who has captured public imagination as The United Strand, vowed back in October 2024 not to cut his hair until his team clinches five consecutive wins.
For nearly 500 days, Ilett has been waiting for his beloved Red Devils to achieve this milestone. His optimism rose as Manchester United, under the guidance of Michael Carrick, approached their match against West Ham with four straight victories. However, their defeat dashed Ilett’s hopes, resetting his challenge once more and casting doubt on whether United can achieve this streak before the season concludes.
In a moment of light-hearted banter, Jemez addressed Ilett’s unique challenge during an appearance on the Spanish television program ‘El Partidazo’ on Cope, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. Jemez quipped, “I saw the Manchester United fan with the hair, Frank Ilett, and I told him: ‘You’re not getting a haircut today.'”
Jemez’s comment adds a humorous twist to Ilett’s ongoing saga, highlighting the intersection of sports and personal dedication in the world of football fandom.
And Jemez, who joined the Hammers in mid-January, was asked about Ilett’s challenge on Spanish TV ahead of the game.
West Ham’s assistant boss Paco Jemez reportedly aimed a cheeky dig at Frank Ilett, the viral Man United fan who won’t cut his hair until his beloved side win five games in a row
Ilett had hoped to complete his challenge, but United were held to a 1-1 draw by the Hammers
Speaking on Cope’s ‘El Partidazo’ programme, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, he said: ‘I saw the Manchester United fan with the hair (Frank Ilett) and I told him: “You’re not getting a haircut today”.’
Jemez’s words were proved right, with the former Rayo Vallecano and Las Palmas boss having the last laugh as Ilett was left crestfallen following the game.
Live streaming the match with a group of friends to almost 100,000 viewers, when Soucek put the Hammers 1-0 up Ilett held his head for several seconds, before consoling himself with the encouragement: ‘There’s plenty of time, plenty of time.’
Midway through the half, Ilett and his contingent of friends went wild as they thought Casemiro had equalised.
One of them let off confetti and they danced around in front of the camera screaming, until the reality of the situation dawned on them.
A VAR check confirmed that the Brazilian had just strayed offside, and Ilett was left to slump back in his chair with a look of resignation.
Sesko bagged a stoppage-time equaliser, causing him some brief, cautious elation, but it wasn’t enough.
After almost 500 days of waiting, and having amassed 1.3 million followers on Instagram, Ilett is back to square one.
Jemez (right, with boss Nuno Espirito Santo) told Ilett he ‘would not be getting a haircut today’
‘We go again for the next five,’ one of his friends said at full time, as Ilett sat pensively, with a thousand-yard stare, covering his mouth with his fingers. By this point, almost 180,000 people were watching his stream.
‘The longer the better for the charity,’ he said, referring to how he will donate his hair to The Little Princess Trust, who provide wigs to children who have lost their hair. ‘I don’t want this to be about me.’
United’s next five matches come against Everton, Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Bournemouth.
Meanwhile, Jemez’s arrival has been widely credited with West Ham’s recent revival.
Since the experienced Spanish coach joined the club, the Hammers have picked up 10 points from five league games and put in markedly improved performances.
Having been seven points adrift of safety in the Premier League, they are now just two points off 17th place Nottingham Forest.
